The triple link between Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn this weekend

Did you see the “Christmas star” last month? Another astronomical event referred to as the “triple conjunction” will be visible in the sky this weekend.

From January 9 to 12, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible in the southwestern sky. The celestial event is known as a “triple conjunction,” which means that two planets and a third planet meet in the sky for a short period of time.

Shortly after sunset on January 9, look over the southwest horizon and you’ll see Mercury to the left of Saturn and Jupiter at a position just above Saturn.

“From Friday evening to Monday evening, Mercury will appear to pass first Saturn and then Jupiter as it moves away from the horizon, and every evening it will be visible low in the west and southwest and set before evening twilight ends,” NASA He wrote on his website.

to me Space.com, All three planets will fit into the binoculars’ field of view. “Mercury and Saturn will be a challenge to see twilights in the evening – except for sky watchers in southern latitudes, where the sky will darken faster.”

Skywatchers should find an unobstructed view of the horizon and begin gazing at the stars no later than 45 minutes after sunset.

The planets will form a triple bond again on February 13, according to NASA.