Looking Up column: Venus and Mercury’s evening show

Mid-spring evenings beckon us outside under the canopy of stars. Winter’s chill has receded. Soon, fireflies will add to the delight, acting like stars that dart about, competing for our attention. Grabbing out gaze this May, however, is gloriously bright Venus in the deepening twilight glow.Just look west-northwest for this brilliant white point of light, the second planet from the sun. Venus started May at peak magnitude of -4.7, far brighter than anything else we normally see in […]  » Read More