Don't miss this beautiful 3-planet parade after sunset on June 12 — it won't last long
Even though Venus and Jupiter have drifted apart slightly since their tight embrace on June 9, Mercury has climbed up beautifully from the sun's glare to join the party. Together, they form a striking slanted line along the ecliptic in the west-northwestern sky right after sunset.This is a high-speed game. The optimal viewing window starts exactly 30 minutes after your local sunset and lasts for only about 30 to 45 minutes before Jupiter and Mercury follow the sun below the horizon.Look for blazing Venus first — it will pop out while the sky is still bright. Drop your eyes down and slightly to the right to easily spot Mercury and Jupiter.For observers using telescopes or imaging equipment, June 12 also offers an interesting opportunity to compare the appearance of the three worlds. Venus will show a small, intensely bright, 80%-illuminated gibbous disk, while Mercury will present a stark contrast with its 50%-illuminated "half-moon" phase. Resolving a clean, tiny half-Mercury in twilight is an elite visual feather in any amateur's cap. Jupiter will appear as a much larger disk, although its low position above the horizon means atmospheric turbulence may blur some detail. Under steady conditions, advanced imagers may be able to capture hints of the planet's famous equatorial cloud belts alongside Mercury's sharply defined silhouette.
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