Lovers of all things astronomy are known to keep an eye on the sky and be on the lookout for any rare and intriguing phenomena that may occur. On April 25th, one of the most rare astronomical phenomena is set to light up the sky with a ' smiley face '.
A triple conjunction forms in the sky
For a very short period, Venus, Saturn and a crescent Moon will be forming a triple conjunction in the early morning sky. From Earth 's point of view, the three will be forming a perfect triangle with the two planets forming the eyes, and the moon forming a smile. Excited viewers can catch the rare phenomenon on April 25th, just before sunrise in the east.
How will Venus, Saturn and Moon align into a 'smiley face'?
This rare and beautiful alignment will be possible because of celestial mechanics, which is the systematic and predictable movement of the bodies in the solar system. As is known, every planet has its own trajectory of movement around the Sun at a different speed and distance. The Moon revolves around the Earth in relation to the Earth's orbit. Periodically, it happens that these orbits intersect with each other for a brief interval.
However, what makes this occurrence rare is the 'perfect' intersection of the two planets and the moon at the right time and speed to form the illusion of a smiley face.
How to watch the 'smiley face' triple conjunction?
The best time to view the 'smiley face' conjunction will be just before sunrise at around 5:30 a.m. local time. However, you might have to be absolutely on time as within an hour, the sun will rise and the rare celestial wonder will no longer be visible.
You must have an unobstructed view with no tall structures or natural features in sight to be able to catch the fleeting conjunction. While it can be visible with the naked eye, binoculars can enhance the experience with way better clarity.
What is a triple conjunction?
A triple conjunction is formed when three bodies can be seen highly close to each other in the sky when viewed from a point on Earth. What's interesting to know is that the planets and the moon will not really be that close to each other in space but their orbits' intersection and our placement on Earth will be creating the illusion as such.
Venus, who is also called the 'Morning Star' because of its bright white light will be at the top, with Saturn a bit below to the left and the moon below both of them with its curved shape creating the pattern of a smile. Thus, forming the 'smiley face' conjunction that people anywhere on Earth will be able to see soon.
A triple conjunction forms in the sky
For a very short period, Venus, Saturn and a crescent Moon will be forming a triple conjunction in the early morning sky. From Earth 's point of view, the three will be forming a perfect triangle with the two planets forming the eyes, and the moon forming a smile. Excited viewers can catch the rare phenomenon on April 25th, just before sunrise in the east.
How will Venus, Saturn and Moon align into a 'smiley face'?
This rare and beautiful alignment will be possible because of celestial mechanics, which is the systematic and predictable movement of the bodies in the solar system. As is known, every planet has its own trajectory of movement around the Sun at a different speed and distance. The Moon revolves around the Earth in relation to the Earth's orbit. Periodically, it happens that these orbits intersect with each other for a brief interval.
However, what makes this occurrence rare is the 'perfect' intersection of the two planets and the moon at the right time and speed to form the illusion of a smiley face.
How to watch the 'smiley face' triple conjunction?
The best time to view the 'smiley face' conjunction will be just before sunrise at around 5:30 a.m. local time. However, you might have to be absolutely on time as within an hour, the sun will rise and the rare celestial wonder will no longer be visible.
You must have an unobstructed view with no tall structures or natural features in sight to be able to catch the fleeting conjunction. While it can be visible with the naked eye, binoculars can enhance the experience with way better clarity.
What is a triple conjunction?
A triple conjunction is formed when three bodies can be seen highly close to each other in the sky when viewed from a point on Earth. What's interesting to know is that the planets and the moon will not really be that close to each other in space but their orbits' intersection and our placement on Earth will be creating the illusion as such.
Venus, who is also called the 'Morning Star' because of its bright white light will be at the top, with Saturn a bit below to the left and the moon below both of them with its curved shape creating the pattern of a smile. Thus, forming the 'smiley face' conjunction that people anywhere on Earth will be able to see soon.
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