People in Qatar can see different planets of the solar system close to the moon in July, Qatar Calendar House (QCH) has said citing astronomical calculations.
“We can see and observe planets together with the moon during these astronomical phenomena, which are also a guide for amateur astronomers to understand the map of the sky,” noted astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk said in a statement issued jointly with QCH director Dr Mohamed al-Ansari.
Jupiter will come close to the moon twice next month. On July 1, it will be “at two degrees from the southern moon’s centre”, while on July 28, it will be “at three degrees from the southern moon’s centre”, according to QCH.
People in Qatar can see Jupiter and the moon together with their naked eye over the Doha sky after sunset until the setting time of Jupiter, Dr Marzouk explains.
On July 7, Saturn will be “at three degrees from the southern moon’s centre”. Qatar residents can see Saturn with the moon over the eastern horizon of the Doha sky after sunset until Saturn’s setting time at 3.17am next day.
Then, Venus will come close to the moon on July 20. It will be “at two degrees from the northern moon’s centre” and Qatar residents can see Venus and the moon together over the eastern horizon of the Doha sky after the rising time of Venus at 2am until sunrise, Dr Marzouk adds.
Finally, Mercury will be “at one degree from the southern moon’s centre” on July 25. People in Qatar will be able to see Mercury with the moon over the western horizon of the Doha sky after sunset until Mercury’s setting time in the Doha sky at 7.50pm the next day.
