16.Jun.2006 at 7:55 am | hso
Mars - Saturn Conjunction
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I picked up Astronomy when I was 12 and has been my longest lasting passion; unfortunately since I moved to America I have to drive out to the country even to get a glimpse of the night sky.
Tonight and tomorrow however are significant nights for beginners, amateurs and professionals alike. Planet Mars and Saturn are at its closest distance from Earth and are lining up in our line of sight to create a conjunction (Saturn behind Mars of course). Although the conjunction happens once every 2 years or so, the proximity to Earth makes this a once in 25 years deal.
If you are not familiar with the sky, simply go out right after the sun sets, look to the west and you will see two reddish stars close to each other. If you have a pair of binoculars handy, you will see the brighter of the two object is golden yellow (Saturn- although farther away) and the other red (Mars). Contrary to general perception, planets all the way up to Neptune can be viewed without any optical aid (telescope or binos). You just need to have an eye for it!!
If you would like to learn more about this relatively cost-free hobby and expand your horizon (no pun intended), visit sites like Sky and Telescope and Astronomy.com.
Tags: Non-profit, Geography, sports, Astronomy, Mars, Saturn, Planets, Earth
1. Adrian MacNair | June 16, 2006 #
I am very interested in astronomy as well, although I do not have a telescope. I first become aware of how cool it is in 2003 when I looked at Andromeda through binoculars. I thought that Neptune was only discovered in 1786 by Herschel? Until that year everybody thought there were only five planets.