Article Posted on : - Jan 10, 2012

NEW DELHI (PTI): A celestial spectacle awaits astro-enthusiasts for the next three-four nights when Earth's three neighbouring planets will be seen in the dark sky after sunset.

Jupiter, Venus and Mars are closing in and can be seen in the sky from Tuesday night, Sri N Raghuanandan Kumar of Planetary Society of India, said.

"While Jupiter and Mars can be seen in east direction till 1:30 AM and 11:45 PM respectively, Venus shall figure in west direction up to 8 PM," he said.

The alignment of these three planets will be visible with the naked eye, Kumar said, adding that the geometrical pattern will provide an opportunity to sky gazers to click the celestial spectacle.

One can also spot Saturn from early hours in the morning till sunrise in the eastern sky, he added.

These planets can be identified easily as unlike stars, planets do not twinkle.

A similar celestial feature also occurred in August and December last when Mars, Saturn and Venus, in conjunction with the Moon, were seen during the night.