Triple conjunction rare, spectacular, to thank heaven this weekend

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If you missed the big conjunction last month, when the two largest planets in our solar system – Jupiter and Saturn – seemed to come 1/10 of a degree apart, there’s another spectacular view to surprise in this weekend: triple conjunction.

Despite the fact that Jupiter and Saturn are now about 1 degree away from each other, they still remain quite close from the perspective of the human eye.

And now, Mercury is moving to the event. It will come on the same 2 degrees of sky with the other two planets this weekend, Forbes reports.

On Saturday and Sunday, the three planets – Jupiter at its brightest and Saturn at its weakest – will form a small triangle in the sky immediately after sunset (wherever you are in North America).

Make sure you have a place facing the west-southwest horizon, because it will be a view you will not want to miss – and a rare one.

Jupiter (L) and Saturn appear at a tenth of a degree between them during an astronomical event known as the Great Conjunction on December 21, 2020. The planets, which remain at a distance of about 450 million miles in space, did not appear. so close from the point of view of the Earth from 1623 and almost 800 years have passed since the alignment took place at night. The conjunction, which took place on the night of the winter solstice, coincidentally became popularly known as
Jupiter (L) and Saturn appear at a tenth of a degree between them during an astronomical event known as the Great Conjunction on December 21, 2020. The planets, which remain about 450 million miles away in space, did not appear so almost together from the point of view of the Earth since 1623 and almost 800 years have passed since the alignment took place at night. The conjunction, which took place on the night of the winter solstice, coincidentally, became popularly known as the “Christmas Star”. The gas giants will not appear so close again until 2080. (2020 Getty Images)

Although it is not as spectacular as the other nights, the triple conjuncture will be visible on Friday and Monday.

In preparation for the event, you should plan to be in a position that allows you to see down; think of a third floor of a building or above, where you can be sure you will see the horizon. And there should be nothing to stop you from seeing. Binoculars are also useful.

Take a look at the views, as they won’t even last two hours after sunset, according to Forbes.

And due to the location of the planets in relation to the Earth and the sun, Jupiter and Saturn will move slowly towards the sun and will begin to fall behind its brightness on January 23.

But because our solar system is such an amazing thing, by February 13, the planets will come out from behind the sun to form another triple conjunction, but at that moment, just before sunrise. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

Will you take out your binoculars this weekend?

Happy viewing!

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