The Abbitt Planetarium and Abbitt Observatory
at the Virginia Living Museum

Looking for the Planets in 2012? 

Mercury

January: In the southeastern sky at dawn during the early part of the month.
February: Well visible in the western evening sky just after sunset on the last 10 days of the month.  This will be the best time to Mercury in the evening for 2012.
March: Visible low in the west after sunset during the first half of the month. 
April: Visible low in the east near just before sunrise
May: Barely visible low in the east just before sunrise during the first half of the month.
June: Barely visible low in the west just before sunset at the end of the month.
July: Barely visible low in the west just after sunset during the first half of the month.
August: Reappears in the dawn sky near the Sun in the second half of the month.
September: Too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
October: Still hiding near the Sun.
November: Visible in the east before sunrise late in the month.
December: Visible east before sunrise during the first week of the month.  This is the best appearence of Mercury in the morning sky for 2012.

   Venus
January: In the west during the evening twilight.
February: Well visible in the western evening sky at sunset.
March: Venus now dominates the evening sky.
April: Continues as our brilliant “evening star.”  Look for it near the Moon on the 24th.
May: Still in the early evening sky in the west.  Sinking rapidly towards the Sun.
June: Not visible this month, except on June 6th as it passes directly in front of the sun!  Don't miss this transit of Venus - it will be the last one visible for 105 years!
July: In the eastern morning sky before sunrise with Jupiter.
August: Improving in the eastern morning sky.
September: In the east before sunrise.
October: Venus is in the east at sunrise. Look for it near the bright star Regulus on the 3rd, and near the moon on the 27th.
November: Low in the east at sunrise.  Look for it near the bright star Spica on the 16th, and near Saturn on the 27th.
December: Venus shines in the east before sunrise.  Look for it near the Moon on the 11th.

Mars
January: Rises late in the evening on the Leo-Virgo border.
February: Rising at mid-evening in Leo and brightening rapidly.
March: Mars reaches its closest point to Earth on March 5th, looking bright high in the sky in the evening.
April: High in the sky in the evening, but rapidly dimming.
May: Mars is in Leo and continuing to diminish in brightness.
June: Mars sets around midnight, visible high in the south around sunset.
July: Look for Mars in the west after sunset in the constellation Virgo.
August: In Virgo, Mars is west after sunset.
September: In the western evening sky.
October: Mars is low in the west at sunset.
November: Visible low in the evening sky in the constellation Ophiuchus.
December: Low in the western sky in the constellation Sagittarius.


Jupiter

January: High in the early evening sky near the Aries-Pisces border.
February: High in the south at sunset, sets by midnight.
March: Slowly departing from the sky, visible in the west after sunset.
April: Low in the western sky at sunset by the end of the month.
May: Not visible this month. 
June: Visible low in the eastern sky before sunrise.
July: Rises in the east before sunrise in the constellation Taurus.
August: Jupiter rises in the east before the Sun in the constellation Taurus.
September: Rises in the east near midnight in the constellation Taurus.
October: Rises late in the evening in the constellation Taurus.
November: Shines beautifully nearly all night.
December: Jupiter is visible all night this month.

Saturn
January: High in the morning sky in Virgo, close to brilliant blue-white Spica.
February: Rising late in the evening in Virgo, northeast of Spica.
March: Rises in the mid-evening in the east.
April: Visible all night in the constellation Virgo.
May: Visible most of the night in the constellation Virgo.
June: In the west after sunset.
July: Sets in the west near midnight.
August: Low in the western sky.
September: Too close to the Sun to be seen this month.
October: Continues to hide behind the Sun this month.
November: Low in the east before sunrise.
December: Nicely visible in the eastern sky before dawn.