In this article, Astronomy magazine Editor Dave Eicher encourages readers to venture out into the evening and observe the planets in the sky. According to Eicher, three planets are particularly worth a look: Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. Mars, often referred to as the “Red Planet”, is currently the highest and brightest planet in the evening sky. Jupiter, though lower in the sky, is still visible and noticeably bright. Venus, on the other hand, is positioned low in the western horizon and is actually the brightest of the three, but it won’t be in the evening sky for much longer – it is expected to move into the morning sky soon. Eicher advises readers to be quick about spotting Venus while it’s still visible in the evening, as it won’t be there for much longer.
Overall, this article is an invitation to amateur astronomers and stargazers to get out and enjoy the evening sky, with a specific focus on the planets that are currently visible. It’s a great opportunity for people to get outside, cloud permitting, and take a few minutes to appreciate the beauty of the night sky and the planets that inhabit it. The article provides a sense of urgency around spotting Venus, as it will soon be changing its position in the sky, making it only visible in the morning instead.