Sri Lankans will have the opportunity to observe a rare Mars-Jupiter conjunction tomorrow morning, according to the Astronomy Department of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies.
Mars and Jupiter will appear exceptionally close to each other on Wednesday, creating the illusion of a “double planet” in the early morning hours.
A planetary conjunction occurs when two or more planets seem close together from our perspective, although they are not physically near each other. Mars and Jupiter will be over 350 million miles (575 million kilometers) apart in their respective orbits.
While moon conjunctions are relatively common, planetary conjunctions are a rare sight. The next such conjunction between Mars and Jupiter will occur today (14th) from 8:57 p.m. to 9:51 p.m. During this time, the angular distance between the two planets will be less than one degree, approximately 18′ 21”.
However, because Mars and Jupiter will not have risen above the horizon during this period, Sri Lankans will be able to view the conjunction after 2:00 a.m. tomorrow (15th). By then, the angular separation between Mars and Jupiter will have increased to 19′ 29”. The phenomenon will be best observed through a telescope or binoculars.
Another similar conjunction between Mars and Jupiter is not expected until 2033.
