Highland Road Park Observatory

TRIPLE PLANETARY CONJUNCTION

Sunday, 26 May and Monday, 27 May
from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Free and for all ages.

For two nights three of our sibling planets will form a tight triangle in the west-northwest. HRPO personnel will have telescopes ready at the back of the Burbank Soccer Complex, between the long lake and the Dog Park. Patrons are encouraged to bring binoculars.

The planets involved are…

MERCURY:
The smallest and fastest planet, and the closest to the Sun.
Average distance during event, ~169 million kilometers (1.13 AU)
Magnitude during event, -0.7

VENUS:
The cloudiest world in our family. The clouds reflect plenty of optical light, making Venus very bright.
Average distance during event, ~245 million kilometers (1.64 AU)
Magnitude during event, -3.9

JUPITER:
The giant by which all others orbiting the Sun are measured. This is HRPO’s last official programmed event for Jupiter before it leaves with the Sun. It will return to our telescopes at the end of December.
Average distance during event, ~908 million kilometers (6.07 AU)
Magnitude during event, -1.9

All three planets will be in the constellation Taurus—the same constellation the Sun will be at that time.

This will be the last triple-planet conjunction able to be viewed with the unaided eye until 2026. Don’t miss this beautiful sight!

NOTE: Attending the Triple Planetary Conjunction earns an Expedition BREC participant three points. Though not one of the originally listed events in the Passport, it will be a “write-in” stamp.

All BREC park rules apply during this event.

Created by Frederick J. Barnett on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 11:46:38 AM.