Tonight – February 21, 2015 – is the closest conjunction of the planets Venus and Mars since September 11, 2008. They won’t couple up this closely again until October 5, 2017. As soon as darkness falls, look for these embracing worlds to pop out beneath the waxing crescent moon in your western sky. If you have binoculars, aim them at dazzling Venus to see nearby Mars with Venus in a single binocular field of view!
Although Venus and Mars are about the moon’s diameter (1/2 degree) apart on the sky’s dome, these worlds are not particularly close together in space. These two solar system worlds simply align along the same line of sight, as seen from Earth. Today, Venus lodges 1.42 astronomical units (AU) from Earth, while Mars resides beyond Mars at 2.20 AU away.
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
If you could look down upon the north side of the solar system plane on February 21, 2015, you’d see the planets Earth, Venus and Mars in alignment. The planets revolve around the sun going counterclockwise. Earth and Mars rotate on their axes counterclockwise, whereas Venus rotates clockwise. Image via Solar System Live.
By the way, if you could view Venus and Earth from Mars, you’d see Venus and Earth shining close together in the Martian morning sky.
On February 21, the waxing crescent moon, and the planets Venus and Mars all shine in front of the constellation Pisces the Fishes. As a matter of fact, the planets Venus and Mars very nearly mark the March equinox point on the great dome of sky. If you could see the sun in front of the backdrop stars on the March 20 equinox, you’d see the sun shining in front of the constellation Pisces.
EarthSky lunar calendars now 50% off! Order today from the EarthSky store
On February 21, 2015, the planets Venus and Mars are in conjunction, on the sky’s dome, near the March equinox point in the constellation Pisces the Fishes. What is the ecliptic?
The moon will move out of Pisces to enter the constellation Aries after a few more days. As for the evening planets, Venus will move into the constellation Aries by mid-March 2015, and Mars will do likewise by the end of March 2015.
Bottom line: Enjoy the close conjunction of Venus and Mars on February 21, 2015. The moon is above them Saturday evening, making a spectacular scene in the western twilight sky. Venus and Mars pair up in front of the constellation Pisces the Fishes, near the point where the sun shines on the day of the March 20 equinox.
Donate: Your support means the world to us
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1Dl4OSt
Tonight – February 21, 2015 – is the closest conjunction of the planets Venus and Mars since September 11, 2008. They won’t couple up this closely again until October 5, 2017. As soon as darkness falls, look for these embracing worlds to pop out beneath the waxing crescent moon in your western sky. If you have binoculars, aim them at dazzling Venus to see nearby Mars with Venus in a single binocular field of view!
Although Venus and Mars are about the moon’s diameter (1/2 degree) apart on the sky’s dome, these worlds are not particularly close together in space. These two solar system worlds simply align along the same line of sight, as seen from Earth. Today, Venus lodges 1.42 astronomical units (AU) from Earth, while Mars resides beyond Mars at 2.20 AU away.
Enjoying EarthSky so far? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today!
If you could look down upon the north side of the solar system plane on February 21, 2015, you’d see the planets Earth, Venus and Mars in alignment. The planets revolve around the sun going counterclockwise. Earth and Mars rotate on their axes counterclockwise, whereas Venus rotates clockwise. Image via Solar System Live.
By the way, if you could view Venus and Earth from Mars, you’d see Venus and Earth shining close together in the Martian morning sky.
On February 21, the waxing crescent moon, and the planets Venus and Mars all shine in front of the constellation Pisces the Fishes. As a matter of fact, the planets Venus and Mars very nearly mark the March equinox point on the great dome of sky. If you could see the sun in front of the backdrop stars on the March 20 equinox, you’d see the sun shining in front of the constellation Pisces.
EarthSky lunar calendars now 50% off! Order today from the EarthSky store
On February 21, 2015, the planets Venus and Mars are in conjunction, on the sky’s dome, near the March equinox point in the constellation Pisces the Fishes. What is the ecliptic?
The moon will move out of Pisces to enter the constellation Aries after a few more days. As for the evening planets, Venus will move into the constellation Aries by mid-March 2015, and Mars will do likewise by the end of March 2015.
Bottom line: Enjoy the close conjunction of Venus and Mars on February 21, 2015. The moon is above them Saturday evening, making a spectacular scene in the western twilight sky. Venus and Mars pair up in front of the constellation Pisces the Fishes, near the point where the sun shines on the day of the March 20 equinox.
Donate: Your support means the world to us
from EarthSky http://ift.tt/1Dl4OSt
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire