Venus is extremely
bright, noticeable immediately from sunset about 30 degrees above the west
horizon. It will continue to rise higher and reach maximum of 40 degree
elevation at sunset in mid-June and after that it will come down again and
disappear below the west horizon by the beginning of August.
Jupiter is also very
bright high in the sky and is slowly shifting westwards day by day and by 1st
July will meet up with Venus for a very close encounter in the sky - a
spectacle worth seeing. Especially on 18th July a thin crescent Moon will
join them to produce a remarkable sight not to miss.
Saturn is also poised
to come into the evening skies by the middle of next month (i.e. mid-May).
Its sharp shine can be confused with stars but remember that stars
twinkle while planet's light is steady.
Among the
constellations, the big horizontal rectangle of Orion with its three stars
middle stars lined up close together is seen in the west soon after sunset and
is worth catching its view.
The Southern Cross,
pointing south and the Big Dipper pointing north are also clearly visible for
you to find your directions.
In city skies it can
be difficult to make out overhead the shape of Leo (the lion) constellation but
with some concentration and clear skies you can make it. In rural skies
with no light pollution, stars are clearly visible and numerous fainter stars
become visible and pose their own challenge to identifying the constellations
shown.
Happy viewing....
Dr.
Noorali Jiwaji
The Open University of Tanzania
Faculty of Science Technology
and Environmental Studies
Lecturer in Physics
Head of Department of Physical
Sciences
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