The triple conjunction of two planets and a crescent moon resembles a smiling face in the sky. (Image credit: Jackyenjoyphotography via Getty Images)
NASA astronomers predict that if you look up at the sky early on April 25, you might see it smiling back at you.
A rare astronomical phenomenon called a triple conjunction will occur during this time. On Friday morning, April 25, Venus, Saturn, and the crescent moon will be close together in the predawn sky, forming a triangular arrangement that resembles a smiley face. According to NASA, the spectacle will be visible on the eastern horizon just before sunrise. Both planets are bright and easy to spot with the naked eye, but a good telescope or binoculars will help you make out the details on the smiling crescent moon.
Mercury may also be visible below the brilliant trio for those with a clear view of the horizon, according to NASA. Unlike the larger planets, it will be very low in the sky and may not be visible from many locations.
What is a triple connection?
In astronomy, a conjunction occurs when two or more celestial objects appear very close to each other in the night sky. When three objects are involved, it is called a triple conjunction.
“Venus is above the eastern horizon, Saturn is below, and the thin crescent moon is just below and slightly north,” NASA Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson told Kansas TV station KSNT. “The thin crescent moon looks like a smile. To some people, the triangle of bright objects may appear to be a smiley face.”
The face will be visible from anywhere in the world under good viewing conditions, though the viewing window will be limited—Culbertson said the alignment will occur around 5:30 a.m. on April 25, with the Sun rising about an hour later.
A diagram showing the positions of the planets and the Moon during a rare triple conjunction.
“Anyone who wants to try to see the conjunction should find an open eastern horizon to look for,” Culbertson said.
The conjunction will light up the sky just a few days after the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower. The shower is still active, but will peak anytime between 10:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. local time between April 21 and 22, with some interference from the waning moon. Up to 15 meteors per hour can be seen at night, according to NASA.
Sourse: www.livescience.com
