The sky is putting on a show this week.  Early risers will get a treat.  Three planets and a crescent moon will be visible just before dawn on Friday.  This event is called a planet parade.  It happens when planets line up and can be seen with the naked eye.  This is not the only sky event this month.

The Lyrid meteor shower is also happening this week.  It will fill the night sky with shooting stars and fireballs.  This is a great time for stargazers.  There is more to see in the night sky this month.  A massive group of stars called Messier 3 is also visible.  It is very far away, about 34, 000 light-years from Earth.  This group of stars is very old, between 11 and 13 billion years old.  It is a globular cluster, which means it is a tight group of stars.  It is located between two bright stars, Arcturus and Cor Caroli.  With binoculars, it looks like a small, fuzzy patch of light.  With a small telescope, it looks like a glowing grainy texture.  With a larger telescope, it looks like hundreds of individual stars.

Mercury, Venus, and Saturn will be the stars of the show on Friday morning.  Venus and Saturn will be the easiest to spot.  Mercury will be lower in the sky and harder to see.  It will be bright, but it will be close to the horizon.  This planet parade is one of several that will happen this year.  In February, all seven of Earth's planetary siblings were visible in the night sky at once.  This was a rare occurrence.  In August, four planets will be visible.  This is another event to look forward to.

The planet parade is a great opportunity for stargazers.  It is a chance to see three planets and a crescent moon in the same sky.  It is also a chance to learn about the planets and the night sky.  Stargazing is a fun and educational activity.  It is a great way to spend time outdoors and learn about the universe.  It is also a great way to appreciate the beauty of the night sky.  The planet parade is a reminder of the wonders of the universe.  It is a chance to see something amazing and learn about the world around us.  So, if you are an early riser, make sure to look up at the sky on Friday morning.  You might see something amazing.

Morning Sky Show: Mercury, Venus, and Saturn Put on a Show

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