Naked eye planets visible Wednesday night

This evening, avid skywatchers will be treated to a spectacular view of naked eye planets as Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn can be seen using binoculars and telescopes. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says the four planets and the crescent moon will be visible in the western horizon 30 minutes after sunset Wednesday. On the eastern horizon, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune will also be visible. The Philippine Astronomical Diary of PAGASA says, “Stargazing during the month will give fine displays of celestial bodies, stars and constellations after sunset and before sunrise." “The famous Summer Triangle of the stars Vega, Deneb and Altair of the constellations Lyra, Aquila and Cygnus, respectively, is being well placed above the eastern horizon," PAGASA says. “The bowls of the Big and Small Dipper in Ursa Major and Minor stand high above the northern horizon with the body of the constellation Draco, the Dragon, winding between them," it adds. Skywatchers will also see the group of horseshoe-shaped stars of the constellation Corona Borealis, also called “the Northern Crown," on the north-south meridian with the head of Draco below it. They will also see Scorpious (formerly often called Scorpio), a large constellation, above the east-southeastern horizon. On the other hand, Centaurus, a bright and large constellation, can be seen just above the south direction after sunset. –VVP, GMANews.TV