Saturn will cozy up subsequent to the moon in the present day (Dec. 8), because the pair make an in depth method of one another within the chilly evening sky.
This occasion, referred to as a conjunction, happens when two celestial objects share the identical proper ascension — the astronomical equal of longitude — and seem shut collectively within the evening sky when seen from Earth. The half moon will go solely 18 arcminutes to the north of Saturn in the present day, formally reaching conjunction at 3:55 a.m. EST (0855 GMT), based on In-the-Sky.org.
For viewers in the USA, the moon and Saturn will probably be seen within the night sky starting at 5:02 p.m. EST (2202 GMT), shortly after sundown. The pair will then rise to their highest level within the evening sky at 5:39 p.m. EST (2239 GMT) and stay seen till round 10:04 p.m. EST (0304 GMT on Dec. 9), when each the moon and planet will dip under the horizon. Subsequently, the very best time to watch the pair will probably be inside two to 3 hours after sundown.
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In the course of the shut method and conjunction of the moon and Saturn, the pair will probably be within the Aquarius constellation. The moon will shine with a magnitude of -11.9 and Saturn can have a magnitude of 0.8. (Unfavourable numbers point out brighter objects on astronomers’ magnitude scale.) Whereas the pair will probably be seen to the bare eye or by a pair of binoculars, they can even be shut sufficient to suit throughout the discipline of view of a telescope, which is able to reveal Saturn’s shiny disk and rings.
Associated: The brightest planets in December’s evening sky
Viewers within the western Pacific Ocean, together with areas of japanese Indonesia, Japan, japanese Philippines and northwestern Papua New Guinea, can even be handled to what’s referred to as a lunar occultation of Saturn. This happens when the moon seems to go in entrance of one other object (on this case, Saturn) when seen from Earth.
In consequence, observers in these areas will see the moon partially obscure Saturn because it passes close to the ringed planet throughout conjunction. The lunar occultation is just not extra broadly seen as a result of moon’s shut proximity to Earth, which causes a slight variation in how the moon is positioned within the sky and seen throughout the globe, based on In-the-Sky.org.
Throughout conjunction of the moon and Saturn, Venus additionally shines brightly within the evening sky, following a current shut method of the moon earlier this week, on Dec. 4.
For those who’re searching for binoculars or a telescope to watch the moon and Saturn, our guides for the greatest binoculars and the greatest telescopes have choices that may assist. You should definitely additionally take a look at our guides for tips about how you can {photograph} the planets or {photograph} the moon throughout this weekend’s conjunction.
Editor’s Be aware: For those who snap an excellent picture of the celestial pair throughout conjunction and wish to share it with Area.com’s readers, ship your picture(s), feedback, and your title and site to spacephotos@area.com.
