Celestial bodies to conjure ‘smiley face' in space; When and where to watch the rare occurrence
The sky is 'smiling' at you – quite literally!
Skygazers around the globe are in for a magical treat this weekend, as three celestial bodies are set to come into a miraculous alignment to form a smiling face in the sky!
What, when, where – read on to find out!
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Just Look Up!
Skywatchers are in for a charming cosmic display before the Sun rises Friday, as three celestial bodies will appear in close conjunction. The arrangement of Venus, Saturn and a slender crescent Moon will create a unique visual phenomenon resembling a smiling face in the sky, according to NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson.
While the two planets will act as the 'eyes' of the 'smile', the delicate crescent Moon forming the 'curved smile', Culbertson detailed. Venus will be the brighter of the two planets.
This alignment will be visible to anyone who has a clear view of the eastern horizon before sunrise.
While the event is not considered a major astronomical occurrence like a total solar eclipse, it offers a beautiful and unusual sight for early risers.
When to watch?
Early birds on Earth will have the chance to witness the
smiley face in the sky
. Between 30 to 40 minutes before sunrise on Friday, April 25, a slender waning crescent moon will appear left of a bright planet Venus and the much fainter Saturn to create a tilted happy face, according to EarthSky.
Venus, shining at its brightest for the year at magnitude -4.4, will be the higher and more prominent 'eye,' with Saturn sitting lower and appearing fainter due to its proximity to the horizon and the encroaching dawn light.
NASA and astronomers advise that the best chance to witness this rare alignment is to find a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon.
Where to watch:
For the smiley face in the sky, the moon and Venus will be fairly easy to see with the naked eye, but the dimness of Saturn may pose a challenge for some. Viewers are strongly advised to avoid looking at the sun's glare without safety eyewear to avoid irreversible eye damage. The lopsided celestial smile will be visible across the eastern sky until the sun rises, EarthSky reported.
As per the American space agency – given a clear sky without clouds blocking their view – the smiley face alignment will be visible from the countries in the Northern Hemisphere along the eastern horizon.
Solar eclipse 2020: A look at the rare celestial event visible in India
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