Sky watchers in Makkah are in for a treat this Thursday, August 15, as Jupiter and Mars come together in a rare conjunction.
The two planets will appear exceptionally close in the pre-dawn sky, separated by just 0.3 degrees—less than the width of a full moon.
Event time
- Thursday, at 2:00 AM (Makkah time).
“This is a rare event that happens only once in a decade,” said Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomy Society. “Viewers will see Jupiter’s bright white light alongside Mars’ distinctive red hue. It will appear as though the planets are almost touching.”
Those near Masjid al-Haram will have a prime viewing spot for this celestial event. The planets will rise in the eastern sky just before sunrise, creating a stunning scene against the backdrop of the historic mosque.
While the planets may seem to be almost touching, they are actually millions of miles apart in space. This visual effect is due to their alignment from our viewpoint on Earth. The next time Jupiter and Mars will appear this close together will be in December 2033.
For those with telescopes, there’s an extra bonus: Jupiter’s four largest moons will be visible alongside the planets. “This is a dream for astrophotographers,” Abu Zahra said. “Capturing both planets and their moons in one shot will produce breathtaking images.”
As this celestial event takes place, Makkah’s residents and visitors are encouraged to step outside and witness this rare alignment, a beautiful reminder of the wonders of our universe.
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