SKYWATCH
Early risers are still thrilling to the sight of a gathering of planets before dawn. During the coming week Venus, Jupiter and Mars are all visible clustered together in the east for several hours before sunrise. Venus, lantern-bright, is by far the brightest of the three. Above it and to its right, Jupiter is less bright. To the left of brilliant Venus, Mars is far fainter and looks like an unremarkable orange star.
If you manage to have several clear mornings in a row you'll notice Venus and Mars approaching each other, until they appear to be almost touching on November 2 - that will be a lovely sight in binoculars. They won't be this close again for a long time, so try your best to see them over the next few mornings.
Stuart Atkinson
Eddington Astronomical Society of Kendal
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