Earth’s two neighbors will seem very shut within the sky on August 14, because the orbits of Mars and Jupiter make them seem almost touching.
Conjunction is an astronomical time period that refers to a scenario when two or extra celestial our bodies in area are shut to one another relative to Earth’s perspective. Though these objects look like shut to one another, they could nonetheless be hundreds of thousands and even trillions of miles aside. Within the case of a conjunction between Mars and Jupiter, the closest distance between the 2 planets could be greater than 300 million miles (500 million kilometers).
In line with EarthSky , after the conjunction, Mars will start to slowly rise larger within the sky from our perspective on Earth, whereas Jupiter will even transfer upward, however sooner, ultimately shifting away from the evening sky.
The pair will start their celestial conjunction round 10:30 p.m. on August 13, however the very best viewing time from the East Coast will likely be a number of hours earlier than dawn the subsequent day. As at all times, each planets are seen to the bare eye. Jupiter would be the brighter of the pair, contrasting with Mars’ signature crimson coloration. With an honest pair of binoculars, Jupiter’s moons could also be seen, and to telescope house owners the 2 planets will likely be seen in the identical view.
To catch a glimpse of the conjunction, look to the jap sky. The planetary alignment will seem in entrance of the constellation Taurus close to Aldebaran. Sky-watching apps, resembling Sky Information and StarMap 3D+, may also enable you to discover the pair within the evening sky.
Mars-Jupiter conjunctions aren’t unusual and happen roughly each 26 to 27 months. This pair of planets final met in 2022. In line with House.com, Mars and Jupiter won’t be this shut once more till December 1, 2033.
Mitzi Adams, an astronomer and researcher at NASA’s Marshall House Flight Heart, stated in an article: “Historically, planetary conjunctions have been extra astrological than severe astronomy, however they’re within the technique of remark.” At all times spectacular, particularly in terms of gasoline giants.
If you cannot see this conjunction in individual, don’t fret. The Digital Telescope Challenge is dwell streaming this occasion.
