On August 14, 2024, Jupiter and Mars will appear to nearly touch in the sky due to a planetary alignment, creating an effect known as a conjunction. This rare event will make the two planets seem incredibly close, a sight that won't occur again until December 2033.
What is a Conjunction?
In astronomy, a conjunction refers to a close approach between two celestial objects. More precisely, it occurs when two objects have the same east-west position in the sky, known as right ascension in the equatorial coordinate system. On August 14, 2024, Mars and Jupiter will share the same right ascension at around 16:50 UTC, with a distance of 0.309 degrees between them. The closest separation will be 0.306 degrees at approximately 14:53 UTC.
Why They Appear Close
The illusion of proximity is due to a trick of perspective. From Earth's viewpoint, there will be a temporary alignment of Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. This alignment makes the planets appear to be in the same place in the sky.
Read More: Witness a once-in-a-lifetime Nova explosion visible to the naked Eye; Find out when and where!
Viewing the Conjunction
Mars and Jupiter will draw closer together in the early morning sky. On August 14, reddish Mars will pass bright Jupiter. To see this spectacle, look toward the eastern half of the sky. Both planets will rise around the same time in the middle of the night and will be visible until dawn.
Skywatchers will witness the conjunction over several days. As August begins, Mars will already be near Jupiter, inching closer each morning. For observers in North and South America, Europe, and Africa, the closest approach will be on the morning of August 14. For those in Asia and Australia, the best view will be on August 15.
Distance and Perspective
At their nearest, Mars and Jupiter will be separated by about 0.3 degrees, less than the width of a Full Moon, which is about 0.5 degrees. Despite their apparent closeness, they are actually separated by vast distances in space. Mars, one of the solar system’s inner planets, orbits relatively close to the Sun. Jupiter, an outer planet, is a gas giant located roughly 3.5 times farther from the Sun than Mars.
Read More: Will Sunita Williams' Boeing Starliner return before August 18? Know NASA's next move
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
