Published on November 21, 2024 at 8:41 p.m.
This winter, the sky has some beautiful observations in store for you. Planets will appear in pairs and, unusual, the planet Saturn will appear to lose its rings.
Mars and Jupiter
The duo of Mars and Jupiter should be watched in the sky. Throughout the night, it will be possible to spot these two planets inside the Winter Hexagon.
“Mars only returns to a position favorable for observation every 26 months and it turns out that it is this winter that this opposition will occur,” indicates Loïc Quesnel, scientific coordinator at the Montreal Planetarium. Opposition is the time when Mars is observable throughout the night, when it rises highest in the sky and where, due to its proximity, its diameter is widest and most obvious. »
Approaching Venus and Saturn
Venus will appear as a very bright spot after sunset. The planet will gradually approach Saturn.
“Between January 13 and 23, their movement will have brought them so close that they will be less than five degrees from each other, which, to the naked eye, is extremely close,” says Mr. Quesnel .
Saturn loses its rings
This winter, Saturn will appear to lose its rings. These will no longer be visible for some time.
“Saturn is tilted in its orbit and during its progression around the Sun, it will sometimes be lit a little more towards the Northern hemisphere and sometimes a little more towards the Southern hemisphere,” explains Mr. Quesnel. When it is the equinox on Saturn, it is presented perfectly from the edge and its rings are so thin that when lit from the side, by the Sun, their shadow is extremely fine and we can no longer even spot them. and the rings seem to disappear. »
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