Michigan skies to offer more than solar eclipse Monday: 5 planets, 1 star to watch for
While only a sliver of Michigan will be in the path of totality during Monday's solar eclipse, there is still plenty to see and experience outside those boundaries: The eerie light as the sun disappears behind the moon, a dip in temperature, changes in the wind, maybe even strange animal behaviors.
Several planets may also be visible, depending on how clear the sky is — but clouds are in the forecast for Monday.
But the complete eclipse takes about 2 1/2 hours, which gives you time to look skyward for stars and planets.
More on the path of totality: What NASA says about 'new' prediction
Five planets
Mike Narlock, head of astronomy at the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills, said that when the sky turns dark during the eclipse and the sky is clear, you might see Mercury to the left of the sun, with Jupiter next. On the right side of the sun will be Venus, then Saturn, then Mars. The best chance to see these planets is at the darkest point of the eclipse.
A bright star
Sirius, the brightest of all stars in the night sky, may also be visible, Narlock said.
More: Solar eclipse expected to cause major traffic jams, possible flight delays
ICYMI
The eclipse is not the only day in April for some skywatching.
According to NASA, Jupiter will be a brilliant, steady light, low in the western sky following sunset during April. For four days, April 8-12, Mars and Saturn will be visible together in the hour before sunrise.
And on April 10, the moon will be just a slim crescent hanging above Jupiter in the west after sunset.
Contact Jennifer Dixon: jbdixon@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: For April 8 solar eclipse, watch for planets Mercury, Venus, Jupiter
