If you’re lucky enough to have clear skies tonight, you can catch a “mini planet parade” as Mars and Jupiter appear alongside a half-lit moon in the southwestern sky.
All three bodies will be visible in the western sky at sunset tonight (April 5) as seen from mid-latitudes in the United States. Mars will be closest to the moon, separated by just 2 degrees in the sky as seen from Earth. (Your fist at arm’s length equals around 10 degrees.) The pair will be in the Gemini constellation.
To see them, look high in the sky right at sunset. The 60%-illuminated waxing gibbous moon and Mars will be nearly directly overhead toward the southwest. The moon will be unmistakable, while Mars will appear as a reddish-orange orb just beside it. Jupiter will be much farther below the pair, shining between the horns of Taurus, the Bull.
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The moon and Mars will also be only a few hours past conjunction during their close approach tonight, meaning they share the same right ascension, the celestial equivalent of longitude.
You can use the moon and Mars to help you find the twins of Gemini, the stars Castor and Pollux. Both stars will be shining bright beside Mars and the moon, and each make up the heads of the two “twins.”
Bright Jupiter, meanwhile, can be used to spot the V-shaped head of Taurus, the Bull; the pale yellow planet will shine from between the long horns of the bull just above its head.
Want to keep up to date with more night sky events like this one? Be sure to check out our monthly night sky calendar and our night sky tonight blog for the latest skywatching news and tips.
