After a week glued to the TV and our devices, we could all use a break from screens. Fortunately, the night sky has a whole weekend of entertainment waiting for us, in the form of a rare conjunction of three planets with Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn. The last time this particular combination performed was in October 2015. Here’s what you can know about it astronomical highlight of the weekend, and how to see some planets.
Didn’t we just have a planetary conjunction?
As you may remember when we saw a news story about it every day for three months, on December 21, 2020 we were treated to a once-in-800-year “Great Conjunction”, also known as the ‘Christmas Star’ or the ‘Planet Kiss’. The one involved only two planets (Jupiter and Saturn), although it was incredible close together. The one this weekend contains these two planets – plus Mercury – although it won’t be that rare like the previous month.
How to view the conjunction of three planets
The meeting of the three planets actually started last night and is visible tonight, tomorrow (Sunday) night and Monday evening. All planets will emerge low to the west – close to the point of sunset on the horizon – with Jupiter being the brightest of the three, followed by Mercury and then Saturn, according to EarthSky. Tomorrow night will be the closest group of planets.
G / O Media can receive a commission
If there are clear skies in your area, you should be able to see the conjunction without binoculars – but if you have them, you might as well use them to get an even better view. The best time to catch the conjunction is right after sunset, making it nice and early so the kids can have a look before going to bed.
And if you miss this three-planet conjunction, there will be another next month, with Mercury, Venus and Jupiter.