>If I understood correctly, towards the end of this month (April 2002) you can see all five visible planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) in a single quadrant (towards the west, right after sunset).
>
>If this information is correct, better start preparing for the end-of-the-world - after all, this specific configuration has only happened a few millions of times before (assuming stable orbits during the last few million years).
>
>Hilmar.

In the UK the event started on 20th April, to the west of Orion & all 5 forming a straight line. In about 2 weeks, 3 of the planets will form an equilateral triangle in the middle of the other 2 planets. The next time this will happen is in roughly 100 years.

We have had several weeks of fine weather with clear skies, but on 20th April the skies clouded over & have remained that way (in the early evening at least) since, so unfortunately I have not been able to see it.

Just a short while ago, there was also a comet that should have been visible to the naked eye, but this coincided with clear skies & an exceptionally bright full moon, combined with the town lights, only the very brightest stars were visible.