The Astronomy closes 2022 in a big way with a parade of planets that can be seen from Earth. This alignment occurs half an hour after sunset, with special emphasis on the countries located in the northern hemisphere.
The planets and the Moon will reach their closest point, or conjunction, this Thursday, December 29, at 9:00 p.m. GMT (6:00 p.m. in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, 5:00 p.m. in Venezuela and Bolivia). As the minutes pass, they will be able to observe each other much better.
The event is visible throughout the week, with Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars observed with the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune can only be seen with a telescope or binoculars. They will all appear separated by just 1.5 degrees.
In case the sky is not dark enough, to observe Mercury you will need a telescope. Jupiter will appear brighter than all the stars, high up in the southern sky.
What is a conjunction of planets?
A conjunction is the meeting of two or more planets, being in the same celestial longitude from a third planet, in our case, the Earth.
The event occurs every one or two years, according to the portal specialized in astronomy Earth.
“On these nights we can see all the planets in our solar system at a glance, shortly after sunset,” he says. Gianluca Masi, astronomer with the Virtual Telescope Project, in statements to Newsweek. “It happens from time to time, but it’s always a spectacular sight.”
The Moon will be in the first quarter phase, the last of 2022
Coincidentally, this Thursday the Moon will reach its first quarter phase, being the last time it reaches one of its four main phases in 2022.
As Space explains, Since the new Moon on December 23, the surface of the natural satellite has been gradually illuminated, and this Thursday night it will appear half illuminated.
The next phase will be the full moon, on January 6, 2023.
