GUWAHATI, March 2 - Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter are aligned from east to west in the early morning sky. These planets are visible with the naked eye. Again, Jupiter will be almost overhead and Mercury will be just above the eastern horizon in the pre-dawn sky. Interested persons may enjoy this celestial beauty, said secretary of the Pragjyotish Astronomers� Association UN Deka in a statement here.
Besides, till June next, interested persons may also witness several celestial events. These events will include opposition of Jupiter on March 8, 2016. On that day, the earth will be positioning itself at the nearest distance from Jupiter. Viewing Jupiter through telescope in this situation will be a wonderful experience, Deka said.
On March 9, 2016, a total solar eclipse will take place. However, from Guwahati, only a partial phase of the eclipse will be visible, that too around 6 am on that day, in the very beginning of the phenomenon.
On the afternoon of May 9, Mercury transit will take place. The early part of the transit will be visible from India between 4.30 pm and sunset. Mercury will be seen crawling as a tiny dot on the surface of the sun during that time, Deka said.
On May 22, opposition of Mars will take place. Mars will emerge bigger in size and it will glitter more, as the earth will be stationed at a closer distance from it. This event occurs at an interval of about 780 days. The next opposition of Mars occurring on July 27, 2018 will be a remarkable one, Deka said.
Opposition of Saturn will take place on June 3, 2016. Earth will be at the closest distance from Saturn on that day. Viewing Saturn on that day through telescope will be an awesome experience, said Deka.
Interested people may visit Guwahati Planetarium, where the planetarium authorities, along with the Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers� Association, will make necessary arrangements for directly viewing the phenomena with proper filter, whenever necessary, he said.
