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This week, stargazers are in for a spectacular display by
Jupiter, Venus and a crescent Moon, as the celestial bodies prepare for a
triple conjunction on the night of December 1st. Throughout this week, the bright
Venus and almost just as bright Jupiter can be seen drawing closer together.
The phenomenon is even more remarkable as the distance
between them seems to shrink at a fast pace. The planets will go from being 8
degrees apart on November 22nd to being 2 degrees apart on December 1st.
Astronomers confirmed the display will be visible with naked
eye, with the two planets separated by just 2 degrees. The crescent Moon will
be only 20 degrees to their lower right on Saturday night, when the two planets
will be 2.4 degrees apart, Sky and Telescope Magazine informs.
“It’ll be a head-turner,” said Alan MacRobert, senior editor
of Sky and Telescope, according to the Associated Press. “This certainly is an
unusual coincidence for the crescent moon to be right there in the days when
they are going to be closest together.”
The event is one not to miss because although such
encounters take place from time to time, the celestial bodies are sometimes not
visible due to being too close to the sun. Furthermore, stargazers should know
that another event such as this one will take place again approximately four
decades from now.
Image Credit: Sky and Telescope Magazine
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