Udupi: Mercury Joins Moon on Feb 23, Venus on Feb 25

Dr A P Bhat

Udupi, Feb 21: Here's a treat for skygazers. The inner most planet Mecury will be visible in the evening sky after sunset on February 23. A good time to look for Mercury is on that night because a waxing crescent moon lies 5 degree to its right.

Poornaprajna Amateur Astronomers club (PAAC) of Poornaprajna College Udupi has arranged a sky watch programme at Malpe Beach on February 23 from 6 pm to 7.30 pm.

Dr A P Bhat, professor of Physics at the College will demonstrated sky watch and K Kishore Hande, teacher, Government Junior College, Hebri will show the planets through his telescope. On that day in the western sky Mercury will be at 21degree from horizon, Venus 40 degree, Jupiter 60 degree and Mars in the eastern sky. 

On February 25 cresent Moon passes 3 degree to Venus and it will make a lovely pair to the sight.

Along these planets Orion is the major constellation in the mid sky. Red Giant Betelguese (350ly)  White Giant Regal (750ly), Orion Nebula (1600ly), and Serius 8.6ly are the major stars in the sky.