 |
|
|
Astronomers announced a very exciting series of events over
the next few weeks. The celestial highlights include a meteor shower and the
simultaneous appearance of the trio Mars, Saturn and the star Regulus.
Saturn and Mars are currently passing through the Leo
constellation, very near of its alpha star, Regulus. The easiest one to spot
will be Saturn, as it is the brightest and also the highest.
Mars with its well
known red color, is the faintest of the trio and Regulus’ blue-white formation
will also be very easy to observe.
Tomorrow night Mars will pass Regulus at a distance of just
0.7 degrees, image which will surely be worth watching. Not even 24 hours
later, Mars will have also passed Regulus, closing in on Saturn. The distance
will keep getting smaller and smaller until July 10, when the two planets will
be apart, from our point of view, with only 0.6 degrees.
The optical illusion involved in the happening consists in
the two planets’ line of sight as seen from Earth, as Mars is 202 million miles
away from us and Saturn considerably more, at 928 million miles away.
Adding a little extra to the show, on July 5 and July 6 a
descent moon will appear in the picture, with all four lining up in a straight
line for everyone to see.
August will also provide some entertaining moments, as Mars
and Saturn will be joined by Mercury and Venus.
The unusual event will also be viewable with
low-power telescopes and people with a thing for such events should definitely
consider taking the time to experience the rare occasion.
© 2007 - 2009 - eFluxMedia