RAFHA: A stunning celestial event took place over Saudi Arabia’s northern skies on Saturday night. The moon and Venus aligned in conjunction, reported the Saudi Press Agency. This phenomenon, known as a conjunction, was visible to the naked eye after sunset. In the Northern Border region, the moon and Venus were separated by just three degrees.
A conjunction happens when two celestial objects appear close to each other in the sky, sharing the same celestial longitude. Astronomer Berjis Al-Fulaih explained this occurrence. He noted that Venus is often referred to as the “Evening Star” or the “Morning Star,” depending on its position in the sky.
Expert Insights on the Event
The conjunction marks the start of the moon’s monthly journey past bright planets. In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency before the event, Jeddah Astronomy Society chief Majed Abu Zahra highlighted the view. He said the crescent moon and Venus together shortly after sunset created a breathtaking spectacle.
As the second and third brightest objects in the night sky, they presented a striking view. A faint glow, known as Earthshine, illuminated the unlit part of the moon’s disk, thanks to sunlight reflecting off Earth.
Looking ahead, Abu Zahra announced another astronomical event in mid-October. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will appear 20 to 25 degrees northwest of Venus on October 13 and 14. Although comets can be unpredictable, it may be visible to the naked eye.
By October 25, Venus will appear three degrees north of the star Antares. Toward the end of the month, Venus will get closer to Earth. Its disk will measure 14 arcseconds and be 77 percent illuminated, according to Abu Zahra.
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