The two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, will look to be 'on the verge of colliding.'
While the two brightest planets will be millions of kilometres distant, they will seem to be on the verge of collision from Earth. This planetary conjunction occurs once a year, although it will be more closer this year than normal.
The next time anything like this happens will be in 2039.
The two planets will move closer until they are just 21 arcminutes apart in UK sky before sunrise on May 1.
In a clear sky, it should be visible with the naked eye or binoculars.
After Saturday, the two planets will drift apart in the ensuing days as they move away.
"It's incredibly exciting for astronomers, and it's a really excellent chance for people to come out and take a look," said Prof Lucie Green, head stargazer of the Society for Popular Astronomy.
In the night sky of the Earth, a conjunction occurs when two planets seem close together or even touch.
Venus and Jupiter have been progressively approaching each other in the sky in the days leading up to Saturday.
The planets' real orbits are around 430 million miles apart, yet their apparent alignment as viewed from Earth makes it seem as though they are touching.
You'll need to set your alarms and be prompt in the UK.
Looking east before the Sun rises at 05:00 BST will be the ideal time to get a peek.
The planets will be low in the sky, near to the horizon, and the view will be obstructed by hills and buildings.
Find a high vantage point and search for two dazzlingly brilliant lights that are extremely close together.
"The brightness of the planets will vary," Prof Green said. Venus is brighter than Jupiter, so when you view it, it will seem dazzlingly brilliant.
"Jupiter will be somewhat less brilliant than Venus, around one-sixth the brightness."
Comments
Post a Comment