A conjunction is a phenomenon in that two or more planets, when seen from a distance (usually somewhere on Earth), appear close to each other. Consider this the conjunction of the year -- the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, during the first 3 weeks of May, will be clustered together.
The conjunction will be observable in the eastern skies, 30 minutes prior to dawn. On the morning of May 11th, the planets were tightly clustered together in the constellation of Pisces. While the planets are generally observed through telescopes, the conjunction allows the astronomer to observe the planets with the unaided eye.
The conjunction will be observable in the eastern skies, 30 minutes prior to dawn. On the morning of May 11th, the planets were tightly clustered together in the constellation of Pisces. While the planets are generally observed through telescopes, the conjunction allows the astronomer to observe the planets with the unaided eye.
Following the conjunction, the movement of the planets will become readily noticeable day-by-day. By the end of the month, the planets will align along the ecliptic, or the imaginary line that the sun traces across the sky.
From the horizon up, the order of the planets will be as follows: Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. A thin crescent moon will join the lineup on May 30th.
From the horizon up, the order of the planets will be as follows: Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. A thin crescent moon will join the lineup on May 30th.
The origin of the word "planets" is the Greek translation to wandering stars. It was originally believed that the planets were stars, constantly moving across the sky relative to those that appeared stationary. The wandering motions of the planets vs. the stars will be easy to observe for the remainder of May into early June.
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