Saturn will cozy up subsequent to the moon right now (Dec. 8), because the pair make an in depth strategy of one another within the chilly night time 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 night time sky when considered from Earth. The half moon will go solely 18 arcminutes to the north of Saturn right now, formally reaching conjunction at 3:55 a.m. EST (0855 GMT), according to In-the-Sky.org.
For viewers in america, 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 night time 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 beneath the horizon. Due to this fact, the very best time to look at the pair will probably be inside two to a few hours after sundown.
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Throughout the shut strategy 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 may have a magnitude of 0.8. (Destructive numbers point out brighter objects on astronomers’ magnitude scale.) Whereas the pair will probably be seen to the bare eye or by means of a pair of binoculars, they can even be shut sufficient to suit throughout the area of view of a telescope, which can reveal Saturn’s vibrant disk and rings.
Associated: The brightest planets in December’s night time sky
Viewers within the western Pacific Ocean, together with areas of jap Indonesia, Japan, jap 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 considered from Earth.
Consequently, 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 because of the moon’s shut proximity to Earth, which causes a slight variation in how the moon is positioned within the sky and considered throughout the globe, according to In-the-Sky.org.
Throughout conjunction of the moon and Saturn, Venus additionally shines brightly within the night time sky, following a latest shut strategy of the moon earlier this week, on Dec. 4.
If you happen to’re in search of binoculars or a telescope to look at the moon and Saturn, our guides for the finest binoculars and the finest telescopes have choices that may assist. Remember to additionally take a look at our guides for tips about the way to {photograph} the planets or {photograph} the moon throughout this weekend’s conjunction.
Editor’s Word: If you happen to snap a superb photograph of the celestial pair throughout conjunction and wish to share it with Area.com’s readers, ship your photograph(s), feedback, and your identify and placement to spacephotos@house.com.
