HEY HOWDY INNIES - THERE ARE FOUR INNER PLANETS, AND THEY’RE ALL VISIBLE THIS WEEK.

AND IF YOU’RE LUCKY, YOU CAN SEE THEM ALL IN ONE DAY THE BEST DAY TO TRY IT IS JULY 18 WHEN MERCURY IS FURTHEST FROM THE SUN.

START THE DAY EARLY.

HIT THE DARKNESS AT 5AM BEFORE SUNRISE AND LOOK TO THE EAST.

THAT BRIGHT DOT IS JUPITER.

UP AND TO THE RIGHT IS AN ORANGY DOT.

OUR FIRST INNER PLANET, MARS!

DURING THE DAY, MARVEL AT THE THIRD PLANET FROM THE SUN EARTH!

WE’RE ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS VENUS, BUT LUCKILY, OUR ATMOSPHERE SUPPORTS LIFE.

SELF-HIGH FIVE!

LATER, RIGHT AFTER SUNSET HIT THE TWILIGHT.

THERE YOU’LL SEE A BRIGHT DOT CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE SUN BELOW THE HORIZON, THAT’S VENUS!

AND UP AND LEFT FROM IT IS TINY MERCURY OUR INNERMOST PLANET.

AND, AFTER MERCURY DIPS BELOW THE HORIZON LOOK FOR BLUE SPICA IN VIRGO, ON SATURDAY THE 13TH THE MOON WILL BLOCK IT COMPLETELY; SO COOL!

GET OUTSIDE AND RELISH THAT SUMMER SKY, AND KEEP LOOKIN’ UP!