What is a planetary conjunction? We already know that all planets revolve around the Sun in an elliptical orbit. When two or more planets meet at an angle of 8 degrees, what we call a conjunction takes place. Between Jupiter and Saturn, this conjunction is more difficult to see, since it takes place every 20 years, their mean orbital period. One of the factors that most attracts our attention about this astronomical event is that the arrangement of planets after sunset in a conjunction makes us contemplate an optical illusion of proximity between them. When are the next planetary conjunctions? We make a stop in March, because it will be full of them.
Conjunction of Venus and Uranus
On March 9, 2020, Venus and Uranus will share the same right ascension, with Venus passing 2 ° 24 ‘north of Uranus. Both planets will be visible in the night sky in the constellation Aries around 7:32 p.m. CET ( Central European Time ) as dusk fades. Later, they will sink to the horizon. Again, they will be too far apart to see both planets from a telescope, but you can see them with binoculars. The show will be worth it.
Conjunction of Jupiter and Mars
According to data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory , on March 20, 2020 there will be a planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Mars; Jupiter will pass at 0 ° 42 ‘north of Mars. From Spain, the pair of planets will be visible in the sunrise sky in the constellation Sagittarius, rising at 04:15 (CET), 3 hours and 3 minutes before the Sun, and reaching an altitude of 21 ° above the southeastern horizon. before disappearing from view around 07:00. As with the other conjunctions mentioned, it is best to view this conjunction through a pair of binoculars.
Conjunction of Mars and Pluto
March will be a month full of historical planetary conjunctions. On March 23, 2020, Mars and Pluto will share the same right ascension, with Mars passing 0 ° 01 ‘south of Pluto 134340. Unfortunately, from Madrid, the pair will be difficult to observe from the constellation Sagittarius, as they will not appear more than 19 ° above the horizon. They will be visible in the dawn sky, rising at 04:15 (CET) – 2 hours 59 minutes before the Sun – and reaching an altitude of 19 ° above the southeastern horizon before fading at dawn around 06:36. For those who are lucky enough to be able to see this conjunction of Mars and the dwarf planet, apart from being able to see the alignment of Mars and Pluto with the naked eye or with binoculars, they will also be close enough to fit within the field of view of a telescope.
Conjunction of Saturn and Mars
On March 31, 2020 , Saturn and Mars will zoom in on the sky. From Spain, the two planets will be visible in the dawn sky, from the constellation Capricorn, rising at 04:59 (CET), 3 hours and 2 minutes before the Sun, and reaching an altitude of 21 ° above the horizon southeast before disappearing from sight at 07:27 with the start of the day. Ideal conjunction to observe it with the naked eye or with binoculars.
