Chennai: In a rare planetary conjunction, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter will appear very close to each other offering a visual treat to skygazers this month.
The conjunction can be seen in the early morning eastern sky through naked eyes across the country from May 7 to 25, Dr P Iyemperumal, Executive Director, Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, said.
From May 15 to 25, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter will form a trio lying within 5 degrees of each other with a tight pairing on May 21 at 2.1 degrees across. Later, the planets will
stretch apart and form a line, with the Moon passing along this line during the last days of the month.
"In Chennai, the conjunction can be watched early in the morning from 4.30," said Vijay Kumar, a skygazer.
Chennaites also stand a better chance of watching Aquarids meteor showers expected to reach the peak on May 6.
PTI
First Published: Monday, May 02, 2011, 18:08