The Night Sky for November 2012

With the stars of Virgo lying above the south east horizon, have a glance on the 26th after 07:00 to find Venus and Saturn making a nice pairing with Spica above and to the right. As the minutes advance look below and to the left of the two planets to catch Mercury rising within the faint consellation of Libra. With the Sun rising just before 08:00 the sky will be brightening and will soon wash out Mercury and Saturn, but how long can you keep Venus in view for without optical aid? The trick is to place the planet close to a prominent object such as a tree or a dark building, to make a focal point on an otherwise bland sky. Venus ought to be visible even after Sunrise - if you know exactly where to look.

With the stars of Virgo lying above the south east horizon, have a glance on the 26th after 07:00 to find Venus and Saturn making a nice pairing with Spica above and to the right.
As the minutes advance look below and to the left of the two planets to catch Mercury rising within the faint consellation of Libra.
With the Sun rising just before 08:00 the sky will be brightening and will soon wash out Mercury and Saturn, but how long can you keep Venus in view for without optical aid? The trick is to place the planet close to a prominent object such as a tree or a dark building, to make a focal point on an otherwise bland sky. Venus ought to be visible even after Sunrise – if you know exactly where to look.