What is a planet conjunction? Science answers!

For science, A conjunction is an astronomical event that occurs when two objects such as asteroids, stars, moons or planets appear closer together. — this can occur during an encounter between two objects or simply as they pass each other. For example, during the new moon phase, the Moon is in conjunction with the Sun as it moves between Earth and the central star of our Solar System.

Even though objects appear to be close to each other, this is only an optical illusion caused by the perspective of those observing the Earth. In astronomy, scientists explain this Conjunction occurs when these two objects share the same ‘right ascension’ or ‘ecliptic longitude’.

In the case of planetary conjunction, two or more planets appear close together in the sky from observations on Earth. As explained before, they are not actually very close; This is an illusion, in reality they are separated from each other by millions of kilometers in space. In most cases, these conjunctions are visible to the naked eye, but observation will depend on some other factors, such as atmospheric conditions in the region chosen to investigate the event.

“Conjunction, in astronomy, is the apparent meeting or passage of two or more celestial bodies. The Moon is in conjunction with the Sun during the New Moon phase, when it moves between the Earth and the Sun and the side facing the Earth is dark. The encyclopedia Britannica explains: The lower planets (Venus and Mercury, whose orbits are smaller than those of the Earth) have two types of conjunctions to the Sun.

TecMundo gathered information from scientists and experts in the field to explain a little more about what a planetary conjunction is. Check out!

planet conjunction

According to astronomers, planetary conjunctions can occur in two ways: ‘correct ascension’, when two objects are aligned in the same vertical direction in the sky as viewed from Earth; or through ‘ecliptic longitude’ is when two objects are on the same imaginary line marking the Sun’s path throughout the year. Therefore, this phenomenon is considered important for both amateur observers and professional astronomers.

“A conjunction is a celestial event in which two planets, a planet and the Moon, or a planet and a star appear close together in Earth’s night sky. Conjunctions have no deep astronomical significance, but are fun to observe. In our Solar System, conjunctions between planets occur frequently because they orbit around the Sun in approximately the same plane (the ecliptic plane) and therefore follow similar paths across our sky,” an official release states.

However, it is important not to confuse planetary conjunction with planetary alignment. Alignment only occurs when the planets align in the same ‘line’ in the sky; Planet conjunction is associated with smaller distances between objects in the sky. For example, during a conjunction the distance between objects can vary from 0.5° to 9°; In 2020, the conjunction between the planets Jupiter and Saturn occurred at a distance of 0.1°.

Conjunction is inferior, occurring only when celestial bodies such as the planets Mercury and Venus are aligned between the Sun and Earth. A superior conjunction occurs when the planets are opposite the Sun, so these objects are further away from Earth.

Upcoming planetary conjunctions

The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 2020 is considered a special astronomical event as it has not occurred in more than 800 years. Scientists estimate that the last conjunction between these celestial bodies occurred in March 1226; so much so that the event is called the Great Conjunction.

“Planets appear to regularly intersect in the Solar System, with the positions of Jupiter and Saturn aligning in the sky approximately every 20 years,” scientists explain in a study on the subject from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Unam).

Astronomers predict dozens of planetary conjunctions will occur in 2024. For example, on January 27, 2024, the planetary conjunction of Mercury and Mars is expected to occur with a distance of 0.12 degrees between the planets. On April 20, 2024, another conjunction will occur between Jupiter and Uranus with an average distance of only 0.31°. On August 4, 2024, Mars and Jupiter will also meet at a distance of 0.18°. Three of them will be visible to the naked eye in different parts of the world, while some will only be in certain places.

Did you like the content? Stay up to date with other astronomy curiosities at TecMundo. If you wish, take the opportunity to discover some of the effects of the solar conjunction.