World Report: December 12, 1997 Vol.3 No.11
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
Eight Pretty Planets, All in a Row
Stargazers were treated to a spectacular show from December 1 through 8. Eight planets lined up next to a crescent moon, like pearls on a string, in the southwestern sky. It's a view that won't be seen again for more than 100 years.
Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn were visible to the naked eye. You needed binoculars to see Uranus and Neptune, and a telescope to see Pluto. Except for Pluto and Mercury, the heavenly necklace will remain visible around the world all this month.
The planets will line up again in May 2000. But they'll be so close to the sun that not all will be visible from Earth.
