Conjunction is a term used in positional astronomy and astrology. Spherical astronomy or positional astronomy is the branch of Astronomy that is used to determine the location of objects on the Celestial sphere, as seen Astrology (from Greek grc ἄστρον astron, "constellation star" and grc -λογία -logia) is a group of Systems It means that, as seen from some place (usually the Earth), two celestial bodies appear near one another in the sky. EARTH was a short-lived Japanese vocal trio which released 6 singles and 1 album between 2000 and 2001 The event is also sometimes known as an appulse. Appulse is an astronomical term that refers to the very near approach of one celestial object to another as seen from a third body

The astronomical and astrological symbol of conjunction is ☌(in Unicode x260c) and handwritten:

Three consecutive days of close conjunction between the Moon and Venus. In Computing, Unicode is an Industry standard allowing Computers to consistently represent and manipulate text expressed in most of the world's

Passing close

More generally, in the particular case of two planets, it means that they merely have the same right ascension (and hence the same hour angle). A planet, as defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU is a celestial body Orbiting a Star or stellar remnant that is Right ascension (abbrev RA; symbol α) is the Astronomical term for one of the two Coordinates of a point on the Celestial sphere In Astronomy, the hour angle is one of the coordinates used in the Equatorial coordinate system for describing the position of a point on the Celestial sphere This is called conjunction in right ascension. However there is also the term conjunction in ecliptical longitude. At such conjunction both objects have the same ecliptical longitude. Conjunction in right ascension and conjunction in ecliptical longitude do not normally take place at the same time, but in most cases nearly at the same time. However at triple conjunctions, it is possible that a conjunction only in right ascension (or ecliptical length) occur. A triple conjunction is an astronomical event where two Planets or a planet and a Star meet each other three times in a short period either in opposition At the time of conjunction - it does not matter if in right ascension or in ecliptical longitude - the involved planets are close together upon the celestial sphere. In Astronomy and Navigation, the celestial sphere is an imaginary rotating Sphere of "gigantic Radius " In the vast majority of such cases, one of the planets will appear to pass north or south of the other.

Passing closer

However, if two celestial bodies attain the same declination at the time of a conjunction in right ascension (or the same ecliptical latitude at a conjunction in ecliptical longitude), the one that is closer to the Earth will pass in front of the other. In Astronomy, declination (abbrev dec or δ) is one of the two coordinates of the Equatorial coordinate system, the other being either Right ascension (abbrev RA; symbol α) is the Astronomical term for one of the two Coordinates of a point on the Celestial sphere In such a case, a syzygy takes place. In broadest terms Syzygy (ˈsɪzɪʤi is a kind of unity especially through coordination or alignment most commonly used in the Astronomical and/or Astrological If one object moves into the shadow of another, the event is an eclipse. An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when one Celestial object moves into the shadow of another For example, if the Moon passes into the shadow of Earth and disappears from view, this event is called a lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse occurs whenever the Moon passes through some portion of the Earth's shadow If the visible disk of the nearer object is considerably smaller than that of the farther object, the event is called a transit. When Mercury passes in front of the Sun, it is a transit of Mercury, and when Venus passes in front of the Sun, it is a transit of Venus. Transit of Mercury Closeup - Nov 8 2006jpg|right|thumb|300px|Close-up of Mercury during the Nov A transit of Venus across the Sun takes place when the Planet Venus passes directly between the Sun and Earth, obscuring a small portion of the When the nearer object appears larger than the farther one, it will completely obscure its smaller companion; this is called an occultation. In Shia Islam The Occultation is a term used to designate the hidden state of the Imam of the Time. An example of an occultation is when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, causing the Sun to disappear either entirely or partially. This phenomenon is commonly known as a solar eclipse (though the term is a misnomer). A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured Occultations in which the larger body is neither the Sun nor the Moon are very rare. More frequent, however, is an occultation of a planet by the Moon. Several such events are visible every year from various places on Earth.

Position of the observer

The term conjunction primarily refers to a phenomenon defined only for the position of the observer, not just to a celestial relationship. However, e. g. for moon and sun observed from the earth, conjunction as a classifying term may apply both to the positions of conjunction (both sun and moon observed jointly in one direction or with similar ecliptical longitude) and to opposition (both sun and moon observed separately in opposite directions or with ecliptical longitude 180 degrees apart).

Superior and inferior

As seen from a planet that is superior, if an inferior planet is on the opposite side of the Sun, it is in superior conjunction with the Sun. The terms " inferior planet " and " superior planet " were originally used in the Ptolemaic Cosmology to differentiate those planets The terms " inferior planet " and " superior planet " were originally used in the Ptolemaic Cosmology to differentiate those planets An inferior conjunction occurs when the two planets lie in a line on the same side of the Sun. The Sun (Sol is the Star at the center of the Solar System. In an inferior conjunction, the superior planet is "in opposition" to the Sun as seen from the inferior planet. Opposition is a term used in Positional astronomy and Astrology to indicate when one celestial body is on the opposite side of the sky when viewed from

The terms "inferior conjunction" and "superior conjunction" are used in particular for the planets Mercury and Venus, which are inferior planets as seen from the Earth. The VENUS ( V ictoria E xperimental N etwork U nder the S ea project is a cabled sea floor observatory operated by the University The terms " inferior planet " and " superior planet " were originally used in the Ptolemaic Cosmology to differentiate those planets However, this definition can be applied to any pair of planets, as seen from the one further from the Sun.

A planet (or asteroid or comet) is simply said to be in conjunction, when it is in conjunction with the Sun, as seen from the Earth. Asteroids, sometimes called Minor planets or planetoids', are bodies—primarily of the inner Solar System —that are smaller than planets but A comet is a small Solar System body that orbits the Sun and when close enough to the Sun exhibits a visible coma (atmosphere or a tail — The Sun (Sol is the Star at the center of the Solar System. The Moon is in conjunction with the Sun at New Moon (or rather Dark Moon). This article is about the lunar phase for other uses see New Moon (disambiguation. A dark moon describes the Moon during that time that it is invisible against the backdrop of the Sun in the Sky.

"Quasi-conjunctions" are also possible; in this scenario, a planet in retrograde motion — always either Mercury or Venus — will "drop back" in right ascension until it almost allows another planet to overtake it, but then the former planet will resume its forward motion and thereafter appear to draw away from it again. Direct motion is the motion of a Planetary body in a direction similar to that of other bodies within its system and is sometimes called prograde motion. The VENUS ( V ictoria E xperimental N etwork U nder the S ea project is a cabled sea floor observatory operated by the University This will occur in the morning sky, before dawn; or the reverse may happen in the evening sky after dusk, with Mercury or Venus entering retrograde motion just as it is about to overtake another planet (often Mercury and Venus are both of the planets involved, and when this situation arises they may remain in very close visual proximity for several days or even longer). The quasi-conjunction is reckoned as occurring at the time the distance in right ascension between the two planets is smallest, even though, when declination is taken into account, they may appear closer together shortly before or after this.

Notable conjunctions

2007

A very remarkable planetary/galactic configuration occurs on December 23rd and 24th 2007. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The configuration on December 23 — Mars, Earth, Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Galactic Centre — is shown in the graphic simulation linked below; it becomes even more remarkable in that it will be accompanied by the Full Moon (conjunct Mars) at about 2 a. m. on December 24 when a simultaneous Venus square Neptune occurs. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes It is even more remarkable in that the Pluto/Sun conjunction appears exactly on the Winter Solstice, just past conjunction with the Galactic Centre. The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun 's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane from the

Link below is the view from Mars toward the Jupiter, Mars, Earth, Mercury, Pluto alignment toward the Galactic Centre on 23 December 2007 which occurs just after the Pluto/Jupiter (Heliocentric) conjunction on 23 November 2007. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. NASA Solar System Simulator for 23 December 2007

Solar System on Dec 22, 2007. What is not shown is Pluto (which would be to Jupiter's right) Saturn, which follows down from Venus, and Uranus and Neptune. Saturn and Neptune form the cross's t-member. It is a 23/12 configuration. There will be a full moon on Dec. 23, 2007

2002

In late April of 2002, a rare grand conjunction occurred; in which Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury were all visible concomitantly in the west-northwest sky, shortly after sundown; this will happen again in early July of 2060, except that on that occasion the quintet will be bunched in the east-northeast sky, shortly before dawn. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. A Great Conjunction (also known as a Grand Conjunction) is a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn. The VENUS ( V ictoria E xperimental N etwork U nder the S ea project is a cabled sea floor observatory operated by the University Notable predictions and known events 2061 Expected expiration of the Singapore-Malaysia Water Agreement.

2000

In May of 2000, the five brightest planets aligned within 20° of the Sun, as seen from the Earth. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. This could not be observed since they were too close to the Sun.

1987

On August 24, 1987, the five objects closest to Earth — the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars — were within approximately 5° of one another, the Sun setting first, followed by Mars, Venus, Mercury and the Moon, in that order, within 20 minutes. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar 's General Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The VENUS ( V ictoria E xperimental N etwork U nder the S ea project is a cabled sea floor observatory operated by the University As in the 2000 conjunction above, this event was unobservable due to the Sun being part of the line-up.

1962

During the new moon and solar eclipse of February 4-5, 1962, an extremely rare grand conjunction of the classical planets occurred (it included all five of the naked-eye planets plus the Sun and Moon), all of them within 16° of one another on the ecliptic. This article is about the lunar phase for other uses see New Moon (disambiguation. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A Great Conjunction (also known as a Grand Conjunction) is a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn. In Astronomy, the naked-eye planets are the five Planets of our Solar system that can be discerned with the Naked eye without much difficulty In Astronomy, the naked-eye planets are the five Planets of our Solar system that can be discerned with the Naked eye without much difficulty The ecliptic is the apparent path that the Sun traces out in the sky during the year At the precise moment of the new moon/solar eclipse, five celestial bodies (the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter) were clustered within 3° of each other, with the Earth in close conjunction with them. s are significant physical entities, associations or structures which current Science has confirmed to exist in Space. Taken in totality though, this grand conjunction included the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, with the Earth also in alignment with the Sun and Moon at the exact moment of the new moon/solar eclipse (eight celestial bodies in total).

1899

During the new moon on December 2-3, 1899, a near-grand conjunction of the classical planets and several other binocular bodies occurred. Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Binocular telescopes, or binoculars (also known as field glasses are two identical or Mirror - symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars and Saturn were all within 15° of each other, with Venus 5° ahead of this conjunction and Jupiter 15° behind. Accompanying the classical planets in this grand conjunction were Uranus (technically visible unaided in pollution-free skies) Ceres and Pallas. Air pollution is the human introduction into the atmosphere of Chemicals Particulate matter, or Biological materials that cause harm or discomfort Ceres (ˈsɪəriːz TemplateInfobox Planet. --> 2 Pallas (ˈpæləs, or as Παλλάς) is one of the largest

Conjunctions of planets in right ascension 2005-2020

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See also

• Astrometry
• Positional astronomy
• Astronomical opposition
• Elongation
• Great conjunction
• Great conjunction#Greatest conjunction
• Syzygy
• Transit of Venus
• Triple conjunction
• Astrological aspects
  • Cazimi (an extremely close conjunction involving the Sun, when a planet is conjoined with the Sun within 17 arc minutes of exactitude from the center of the solar disc)
  • Combust (a moderate to close conjunction involving the Sun and another planet, though it is not as close as Cazimi)

External links

• Occultations of Saturn by Jupiter
• Image of 2001 occultation of Saturn by the Moon
• Planets conjunctions and mutual occultations 1000BC to 3000AD
• Conjunctions of planets with the main asteroids