Space

Rare, Cosmic Conjunction of Jupiter, Mars and Venus Comes Together Before Halloween

Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Oct 26, 2015 07:43 AM EDT

Jupiter, Mars and Venus are creating a rare, cosmic triangle in the early morning skies this week. About an hour before dawn, you can see the three planets in a triangle-like conjunction.

The planes will first be visible on Monday (today). But if you missed the beginning of this trio, don't worry. The three planets will appear to move nearer to one another as the week goes on, and will form a very close triangle in the sky on Wednesday morning.

The pre-Halloween spectacle is known as a "planetary trio." The planets will form a broad triangle in the eastern pre-dawn skies. In fact, this will be the last time they meet until 2021. They'll be visible from now until Oct. 29.

In order to see the planets, you won't need anything like binoculars or telescopes. You'll simply be able to look up and see the planets. In fact, this planetary conjunction will be one of the brightest in recent times. If you do have binoculars, then you may even be able to see Jupiter's moons, Io, Ganymede, Europa and Callisto, assuming you have something to hold the binoculars steady-like a tripod.

Of course, all this is assuming that the weather cooperates. Fortunately, there are a few nights where you'll be able to see the sky show. Just remember when you get up early to look toward the eastern sky to catch this planetary conjunction.

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