2022 is the year of many astronomical attractions. Planetary parades will take place before sunrise. However, if we have the opportunity to get up early – or want to set an alarm – to look up at the sky, it is definitely worth it.
Since mid-April, three of the brightest objects in the sky are walking together: Venus, Jupiter and the Moon. Yesterday, April 27, the planets hovered above a barely visible crescent. On Saturday, April 30, the two planets will approach each other at the smallest distance (this year) in the sky, i.e. Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter.
Venus will eclipse Jupiter with its brilliance in the southeast sky. Above them on the right will also appear Mars and much weaker Saturn (Neptune will also hang between them, but it is the only planet we will not see without binoculars or a telescope).
Of course, Venus and Jupiter will only come close to Earth’s sky. In space, it would be separated by more than 690 million kilometers – more than four times the distance from Earth to the Sun. The two planets meet on average once a year, but they get very close to each other every few years. The last such close pairing occurred in 2016.
It should be noted that in the second half of June, the waning crescent moon will begin to visit Up to five planets are visible in the sky. Looking from the east, we’ll see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in one ascending line. The opportunity will repeat itself in December. At Christmas, we will see the procession of the five planets again. Between them, this time the overgrown crescent moon would wander again.
This is not the end of this year’s astrological attractions. September 26 Buyer will be in opposition relative to the sun and closest to the earth. After that, the two planets will be separated by a distance of 591.2 million km. Jupiter will shine with a unique glow in the constellation Pisces. The next such convergence will not occur until 2034.
On December 7, the full moon will cover the planet Mars. In a day, the red planet will be on the opposite side of the sun, i.e. Mars will be in opposition and its brightness will be at its fullest. Mars will be much brighter than Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. We find it near the northwest of the sky.
Echo Richards embodies a personality that is a delightful contradiction: a humble musicaholic who never brags about her expansive knowledge of both classic and contemporary tunes. Infuriatingly modest, one would never know from a mere conversation how deeply entrenched she is in the world of music. This passion seamlessly translates into her problem-solving skills, with Echo often drawing inspiration from melodies and rhythms. A voracious reader, she dives deep into literature, using stories to influence her own hardcore writing. Her spirited advocacy for alcohol isn’t about mere indulgence, but about celebrating life’s poignant moments.
