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Planets over Perth

Planets over Perth

A bright trio of terrestrial planets was joined by a young Moon on September 1st, in planet Earth's early evening skies. In this view of the celestial gathering from Perth , Western Australia, the Moon's sunlit crescent is nearly horizontal at Perth's southern latitude of about 32 degrees. Venus , then Mercury , and finally Mars shine above colorful city lights on the far shore of the Swan River. The six unlit towers on the left surround a large cricket stadium. For now , the planetary trio still lingers low in the west just after sunset . But in the coming days Venus will move farther from the Sun, climbing higher after sunset, while Mercury and Mars will steadily sink into the glare along the western horizon .

Note: Free Astronomy Course Taught Online by an APOD Editor

Media Credits & Attribution

Credit & Copyright: John Goldsmith, Celestial Visions exhibition, TWAN