Unique Morning Planetary Dance

During this month of May there will be a unique morning show offered free of charge thanks to all of the naked eye planets with the exception of Saturn.  You will need a good clear view of the eastern horizon...and the use of binoculars with a wide field of view would greatly enhance your success at locating Mars and especially Mercury.  As I just came in from the outdoors and noting the crispness of the air and the cloud-free sky, tonight and tomorrow morning would be as good as any look for your favorite celestial body. In fact, most of this week will be adequately clear for some good spring stargazing!  The graphic below shows Tuesday morning's planetary configuration.  By the end of the month, a waning crescent moon will enter the planetary gathering as Jupiter climbs higher into the heavens!

 I've also linked a NASA video below describing this planetary alignment during this merry month of May!  Enjoy!

Meteorology and Astronomy....it doesn't get any better than this......unless you need your car washed and "One-Drop-Jere's" tennis teams can take care of your needs this Saturday.  Or you have a desire to view some high school baseball at the fine facility down at City Island this Friday evening.  Or you fancy some accomplished high school athletes in their track and field events at Landis Field this weekend.  Or simply look up to the cloud free, "wx event lull" sky and enjoy the show from our planetary neighbors!

Smitty

AA:  A rewarding glimpse of the sky during the pre-dawn hours this month as 4 planets are aligned in close proximity!