Sunday,  July 1, 2012 • Vol. 12--No. 353 • 16 of 32 •  Other Editions

(Continued from page 15)

You can't miss Jupiter and Venus in eastern predawn sky, assuming your sky is clear. They're the two most brilliant starlike objects in all the heavens, with Venus being the brighter of these two dazzling beauties. Venus is also closer to the predawn horizon. You'll see Venus and Jupiter gracing July early dawns all month long. In mid-July 2012, the moon will sweep into this part of the sky, providing some wonderful early morning sky scenes and great photo opportunities.
• By the way, the two planets beyond Saturn - Uranus and Neptune, respectively - are not readily available for casual viewing. You generally need an optical aid to see Uranus, and you absolutely need optics to view Neptune.

Venus and Jupiter beam in the east before sunrise all through July

• Bottom line: Take advantage of this great opportunity to spot all five visible planets in early July 2012. Mercury, Mars and Saturn can be found in the evening sky. Jupiter and Venus light up the wee hours before sunrise.
• Regulus: Heart of the Lion
• Spica is a whirling double star
• Setting and rising times of the planets in your sky

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