Triple Conjunction February 2022: How to See Mercury, Moon, Saturn At Once Before This Month Ends

Ringed Saturn, fleeting Mercury, and moon will all align for a spectacular sky spectacle on Monday, February 28.

The three worlds will be crowded extra-close to the southeastern horizon as the sun rises. Saturn is magnitude 0.7, while Mercury is magnitude -0.1. In dark-sky circumstances, most individuals can see stars down to magnitude 6.

Space.com said that worlds frequently align in the sky of Earth during conjunctions, which are moments when these celestial bodies appear to get closer to one another from the perspective of our globe.

Because the planets, moon, and sun all follow the same general route through our sky, known as the ecliptic, conjunctions are fairly common.

(Photo : YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - A picture taken on December 21, 2020, in al-Salmi district, a desert area 120 kms west of Kuwait City, shows the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. - The great conjunction refers to the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn.

Triple Conjunction: Mercury, Moon, Saturn Showing Up

Given that the two worlds will be within five degrees of the horizon at dawn, In-The-Sky.org said neither of the lunar-planetary conjunctions would be seen from New York City.

Your clenched hand, held at arm's length, is approximately 10 degrees broad. Viewing conditions will be better closer to the equator and farther south since Mercury and Saturn will be higher in the sky before the sun rises and the planets fade into daylight.

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Space.com said other planets, on the other hand, will still be visible. The moon, which will enter a new phase on March 2, may be seen through the dense atmosphere near our horizon. Further up, brilliant Mars (in red) and Venus may be seen (above Mars, shining brightly in white).

Venus and Mars were in close alignment (or conjunction) with the moon and were visible to the naked eye last February 27. Because the planets, moon, and sun all travel along the same general route, termed the ecliptic, worlds frequently approach close to one other in Earth's sky.

How to See Planets

Suppose you're looking for even more planet-gazing opportunities. In that case, NASA recommends getting out to search for Jupiter in the twilight sky in the evening.

The agency added that this will be the final chance to view a planet easily in the early evening until August. It will be the first time since 2018 that no bright planets will be visible after sunset.

With the correct equipment or in darker or other regions, you may strike it rich. Suppose you want to observe planets in the night sky with binoculars or a telescope. In that case, you may check out some of the best binoculars and telescope offers online.

You can also see some astrophotography cameras and the best astrophotography lenses to get ready for the next planet sight if you require equipment.