Morning Planets and their Explorers

Days are getting shorter as summer drifts into fall and the Sun rises later and sets earlier. While many of us might miss the long days of summer, the later sunrise means that it is easier to see the morning planets! If you wake up before the Sun, you can see three planets in the East. In October, there will be a triple conjunction of Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. 

 

See Venus and Mars easily before sunrise in the East. Jupiter will be more of a challenge if you have trees or buildings in the way. Image Credit: Me and Stellarium

If you would like to see the planets, just look towards the east before sunrise. The sun rises around 6 AM right now, so 5:30 or 5:45 would be a good time to look. Venus will look like a super bright star (it is often referred to as the Morning Star or the Evening Star), and Mars will be noticeably red. As we move deeper into fall, these planets will be higher in the east before sunrise, and easier to see. 

While you are out early, notice the constellations too! You will get an early preview of our winter constellations. Orion will be prominent in the south, and the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, will be easily visible! In the east, get a preview of spring - Mars is near Leo the Lion.

Can you spot Orion in the south before sunrise? Image credit: Me and Stellarium

These planets will be fun to watch over the coming months, because they will appear to move closer and closer together. In late October, all three planets will be grouped together. To read about what is actually happening in a conjunction, click here. 
 

In late October, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars will be grouped close together in the east before sunrise. Image Credit: Me and Stellarium

When I look at the planets in the sky, I like to imagine the spacecrafts that we humans have sent to study the other worlds. 

The Japanese mission Akatsuki will attempt to enter orbit around Venus in December 2015. It was launched in 2010, but failed to enter orbit, so continues to orbit the Sun. Keep your fingers crossed that this attempt will work, so Akatsuki can learn more about Venus' atmosphere.  

Mars is the best explored planet in the Solar System other than Earth. There are seven current missions studying Mars, including two rovers driving around on the surface. If you haven't checked out images from the Curiosity rover, you are missing out!  In 2016, two more missions will be launched to explore Mars. The European and Russian space agencies are working together to develop ExoMars, which will be looking for signs of past or present life on Mars. It has two parts, an orbiter and a stationary lander. ExoMars will arrive in September of 2016. An ExoMars rover is planned to arrive at Mars in 2018. 

NASA's InSight mission is also scheduled to launch in 2016. This stationary lander will arrive later in 2016 and study the composition of Mars' interior, to learn more about planetary formation.  

Insight's surface configuration. Image Credit: NASA

Jupiter will be explored by the Juno mission next year. Juno was launched in 2011, and will enter orbit around Jupiter in 2016. It will study Jupiter's composition, and try to figure out what is going on in Jupiter's core. Read more here.  

Juno at Jupiter (Artist Concept). Image Credit: NASA

And there are many MORE missions exploring the Solar System right now. Check out this nifty graphic by Olaf Frahn showing them all. He updates it monthly. You can always find the updated graphic here. 

Click image to enlarge. Courtesy of the Olaf Frohn and the Planetary Society.

So wake up early and enjoy those planets! Also, don't forget about the Total Lunar Eclipse coming up this month - more on that soon! 

Harp concert to celebrate the equinox!

Watch the eclipse with us at Donovan Park!