Pagasa: Venus, Jupiter visible this month

MANILA, Philippines - Stargazers and sunset lovers will have another reason to go outdoors – a chance to see Venus and Jupiter up close, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported yesterday.

In its Astronomical Diary for March 2012, PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said that, “Venus and Jupiter will become a spectacular view in the western horizon after sunset during the month.”

Venus is expected to shine brilliantly at a magnitude of -4.2, while Jupiter, on the other hand, would dazzle at a magnitude of -2.1.

“Mars will be at opposition with the Sun and will be at its closest approach to Earth on March 5 at a distance of 101 million kilometers. It will be located at about seven degrees from the eastern horizon and will be glowing at magnitude -1.2,” Servando noted.