The researchers observed the approach of Venus and Mercury on May 28 at night. Two planets approached each other in the night sky, this is the minimum distance between objects, the next such phenomenon can be seen on November 5, 2033.
According to EarthSky, the planets were visible in the western sky for 30-40 minutes after sunset. However, the researchers note that observations with the naked eye were difficult due to buildings and air pollution, but the planets were visible through binoculars.
Sky & Telescope advises looking west-northwest and starting with the bright stars Pollux and Castor, which are the “main objects” of the constellation Gemini. Just below Pollux and to the left of him, if you look with the naked eye, you will see a merge.
Scientists note that they usually see Venus first – it shines with a magnitude (magnitude) of -3.8, it looks like the brightness of the International Space Station. “Mercury has shrunk to a magnitude of +2.3, and its brightness is only 1/275,” notes Sky & Telescope. “So take your binoculars or a telescope with you to highlight Mercury from the sky.”
The planets will remain relatively close in the sky for several days before Venus continues to move away from the Sun and Mercury plunges into the horizon. Mercury can be observed in the morning in late June or early July 2021, and Venus in the evening until the end of 2021.
