The last time we dealt with such an astronomical event was 18 years ago. It is a conjunction of five planets that lined up with the Moon on Friday. Although the best time for observation is behind us, there is still an opportunity to see this phenomenon, which we will be able to admire next time only in 2040. You have to get up before dawn.
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Conjunction is a phenomenon in which the celestial bodies from the observer’s point of view are lined up in one line. Most often we deal with the conjunction of two or three planets or the conjunction of a planet with the Moon. In June, as many as five planets can be observed with the naked eye in the sky. These are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. On Friday, a crescent moon joined this conjunction.
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The previous time such a situation occurred in December 2004, and the next one will not happen until 2040.
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As in the solar system
When viewed from left to right, the planets are visible in the sky in ascending order from the sun. So you can see Mercury first (average distance from the Sun – 56 million kilometers), then Venus (108 million km), Mars (228 million km), Jupiter (778 million km) and at the end of Saturn (1.4 billion kilometers).
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The Silver Globe appeared on Friday between Venus and Mars, replacing our planet, as it were. In the solar system it is the Earth located between Mars and Venus.
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Conjunction of five planets – when and where to observe
The conjunction of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn was visible from June 3, becoming easier to see as the month passed. The culmination of the phenomenon took place on June 24. Scientists say that we will be able to admire the planets in line with the Moon until Monday, June 27.
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A rare spectacle in the sky can be watched before sunrise. In the northern hemisphere, and therefore also in Poland, the gaze should be directed towards the north-east. Although the conjunction is visible to the naked eye, of course, with binoculars you can expect much better views. It is best to go to a place away from buildings and artificial light emitted, for example, by lanterns.
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Heaven in JuneZlata Bahachova / PAP
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sciencealert.com, space.com, CNN, tvnmeteo.pl
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photo-source">Main photo source: Shutterstock
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