Hurrah! You didn't miss it!!!!

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I've just returned from Mt. Bonnell. Richard and I dropped our dishtowels and raced west to view a Wonderful Astronomical Delight. And the best news is it will be even better tomorrow!!!

Arise planet lovers! I know you will want to remember what you'll see tomorrow night! Here's the intro from Sky and Telescope magazine And it only tells you part of the story-

Sun-hugging Mercury is the most elusive of the five classical planets, but in late March and early April 2010 the little planet will be as obvious as it ever becomes for mid-northern observers. Moreover, the bright signpost of Venus will be there to point the way.

It's not a usual thing to see Mercury with any ease. Tomorrow night it's going to be hanging on the western horizon for 90 minutes after the sun goes down. AND...to make it easier Venus which is really bright will be right with it. To point the way as S & T says above. So-it'll be brighter than usual and there'll be a really bright star right next to it. Picture Venus with a sign around her neck with a right facing arrow pointing to Mercury.

But the story doesn't end there. After you've captured Mercury and Venus look straight up. A little over your head past straight up is reddish yellowish Mars. It's next to Castor and Pollux in Gemini. So now you've netted Three planets; Mercury, Venus and Mars.

But wait there's more ladies and gentlemen. You've described an arc; from Venus and Mercury in the west to straight up to Mars. Keep the arc going to the east and about 1/2 way to the eastern horizon on that line you'll find Saturn. So now you've netted Four planets; Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn!

'Bout took my breath away tonight. Can't wait till tomorrow.
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