Backyard astronomer

Between March 22 and early April a backyard astronomer can see five planets in the evening sky says this article from Space Daily. I have a small 5 inch reflector I've used to view a comet or two, the rings of Saturn, Jupiter and it's moon and Mars. I've never attempted Mercury or Venus so this may be a good chance.


Personally my favorite backyard objects have always been the Horse head Nebula and Orion Nebula in the constellation of Orion. What looks likes just stars to the naked eye is revealed in its gossamer glory with a simple telescope. Albiet without the cools colors.

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