Will you see the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction on August 15?
A conjunction is when 2 objects share the same right ascension. The Jupiter-Mercury conjunction on August 15 is the next one. Look for them before sunrise. The post Will you see the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction on August 15? first appeared on EarthSky .
Look to the east before sunrise on the mornings leading up to August 15 for a chance to witness the upcoming Jupiter-Mercury conjunction. This celestial event will require a clear view of the eastern horizon shortly before sunrise. Jupiter, being the brighter of the two, should be easy to spot and may be visible with the naked eye.
Mercury, however, will be fainter and may need binoculars to assist in its detection near Jupiter. The planets will be within about one full moon's width of each other, making them a captivating sight for stargazers. While Jupiter will continue to rise higher in the eastern predawn sky, Mercury will eventually fade away. Binoculars are recommended to enhance visibility of these planets, which will be found among the stars of Cancer the Crab.
Don't miss this unique conjunction if your sky conditions allow, as it presents an opportunity to observe a rare close encounter of these planets.
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