Venus will lead a planetary parade that ushers in a new year.

To locate Venus stare high above the southwestern horizon at nightfall where the brightest planet can be seen clearly. You will be able to see this bright planet with the naked eye, but you will need a clear cool night to get the most out of your viewing pleasure. This effervescent planet remains a conspicuous evening object throughout January.

Early in the month, while you’re looking at Venus, look towards the southwestern horizon, where you can see the fading Jupiter as it moves closer to the sun each evening. Concurrently, Mercury appears to climb higher each night for a short visit. You will need to be in an area that’s dark with little or no light such as what big cities produce. Try to find an area that provides the best darkness and view for this great event. You will be able to see Mercury for about 10 days starting at the end of December.

On New Year’s Eve, Venus and the crescent moon together will ring in 2009 high in the southwest, while Mercury and Jupiter dance close to the horizon. By the next evening, Jan. 1, the cosmic couples have ceased to dance, and all go their separate ways.

With any luck, you might catch a few stray meteors before dawn Jan. 3rd. The shower this year peaks during the sunny part of the morning for the Northeast.

On December 1st, if you look towards the southwest just after sunset you will see a close conjunction between three bright solar system objects: the Moon, Venus and Jupiter. If you have binoculars, you might even be able to fit all three of them in the field of view. Between now and then, you can see Jupiter and Venus getting closer together each evening.

In a previous blog called “The Moon, Venus, and Jupiter Together”

The Moon, will be very low in the southwestern twilight as it approaches Venus and Jupiter from below (or west) shortly after sunset. Look early, because all three set roughly two hours after sunset. Best views likely will be from about a half hour to an hour after sunset. By Monday evening (12/1) the Moon has passed the two planets, and is somewhat higher and easier to spot. The Moon occults (eclipses) Venus at about 11 a.m. EST on Monday morning, but this is not visible in North America except from far northeastern Canada (as well as parts of northern Europe).

Enjoy the view!

If you’re lucky enough, weather wise, you will witness a spectacular event when the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter come together. It’s recommended to use binoculars to get a better view. The event will occur on Sunday, November 30th until 11a.m. EST on Monday morning for North America.

The Moon, will be very low in the southwestern twilight as it approaches Venus and Jupiter from below (or west) shortly after sunset. Look early, because all three set roughly two hours after sunset. Best views likely will be from about a half hour to an hour after sunset. By Monday evening (12/1) the Moon has passed the two planets, and is somewhat higher and easier to spot. The Moon occults (eclipses) Venus at about 11 a.m. EST on Monday morning, but this is not visible in North America except from far northeastern Canada (as well as parts of northern Europe).

This event almost reminds me of the Fifth Dimension song – Aquarius. Just replace Mars with Venus, or the Moon, and you have a song to play during this spectacular event.

Fifth Dimension song – Aquarius
When the moon is in the seventh house
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
The peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius, Aquarius

Harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust abounding
No more false hoods or derision’s, golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelations, and the mind’s true liberation’s
Aquarius, Aquarius…