Dawn on Anzac Day this year is extra special. If you regularly attend dawn services, you’ll know that the view of the stars and planets change from year to year. This year, there are three naked-eye planets visible in a celestial line up. A conjunction is where two astronomical objects, likes planets, appear close together in the sky.
Saturn appears as the highest. Below is red-coloured Mars and then further towards the horizon is Mercury. Over coming weeks you’ll see them appear to move away from each other. If you watch regularly, you’ll be marveling at the motion of our amazing solar system.
Use the above image as a guide. Astronomical images provided by SkySafari, a Simulation Curriculum Company, All rights reserved www.simulationcurriculum.com.
When and where to look:
Look towards the eastern horizon from 6am on 25th April. The view will add to the poignancy of this very special morning.
Something Interesting:
Mercury is a bit larger than our Moon. It’s the smallest planet in our Solar System and the closest to the Sun. Out of all our neighbouring planets, Mercury orbits the Sun the fastest – it only takes 88 days.