People in Qatar can view four planets of the solar system get close to the moon in September, Qatar Calendar House (QCH) has said citing astronomical calculations.
These celestial shows provide an opportunity to view the planets and the moon together at the same time, and also act as a guide for amateur astronomers to understand the map of the sky through the month, noted astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk has said in a statement issued jointly with QCH director Dr Mohamed al-Ansari.
The planet Venus will come “very close” to the moon on September 18 - at half a degree from the northern moon's centre, according to QCH. Qatar residents can see Venus and the moon together with their naked eye over the eastern horizon of the Doha sky from the rising time of Venus (3.18am) until sunrise time.
On September 19, Mercury will be at less than half a degree from the northern moon's centre, the statement notes. People in Qatar can observe Mercury with the moon on the eastern horizon of the Doha sky from the rising time of Mercury (4.13am) until sunrise.
Then, Jupiter will come close to the new Hijric moon on September 22 - at four degrees from the southern moon's centre. Qatar residents can see Jupiter and the moon together over the southwestern horizon with their naked eye after sunset, until the setting time of Jupiter over the Doha sky at 6.50pm, Dr Marzouk explains.
Finally, Saturn will come close to the moon on September 27 - at three degrees from the southern moon's centre. Saturn and the moon can be seen together over the eastern horizon of the Doha sky after sunset until Saturn’s setting time at 9.50pm, the statement adds.
The planet Venus will come “very close” to the moon on September 18 - at half a degree from the northern moon's centre, according to QCH. Qatar residents can see Venus and the moon together with their naked eye over the eastern horizon of the Doha sky from the rising time of Venus (3.18am) until sunrise time.
On September 19, Mercury will be at less than half a degree from the northern moon's centre, the statement notes. People in Qatar can observe Mercury with the moon on the eastern horizon of the Doha sky from the rising time of Mercury (4.13am) until sunrise.
Then, Jupiter will come close to the new Hijric moon on September 22 - at four degrees from the southern moon's centre. Qatar residents can see Jupiter and the moon together over the southwestern horizon with their naked eye after sunset, until the setting time of Jupiter over the Doha sky at 6.50pm, Dr Marzouk explains.
Finally, Saturn will come close to the moon on September 27 - at three degrees from the southern moon's centre. Saturn and the moon can be seen together over the eastern horizon of the Doha sky after sunset until Saturn’s setting time at 9.50pm, the statement adds.
