LIHU‘E — In a special astronomical event, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter will form a perfect triangle in the sky in later this month, visible with the naked eye. “There’s going to be a (three-planet) conjunction in late May,” said Roz
LIHU‘E — In a special astronomical event, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter will form a perfect triangle in the sky in later this month, visible with the naked eye.
“There’s going to be a (three-planet) conjunction in late May,” said Roz Reiner, associate director of Kaua‘i Educational Association for Science and Astronomy.
From now on, at about sunset, Venus is going to be higher and higher in the sky, she said. Jupiter, which is out now, is going to get lower every night.
“And then on May 26, Mercury joins the scene,” said Reiner, adding that on that date, there will be a perfect equilateral triangle, visible at about 8 p.m., looking toward west.
The triangle will actually form May 23, but three days later it will have a perfect shape, she said.
“Each planet will be two degrees apart from each other,” she said.
Mercury is not quite as bright as Venus and Jupiter, according to Reiner, but the triangle will still be visible.
Visit www.keasa.org for more information.
