[Epoch Times, April 11, 2022](The Epoch Times reporter Lin Zixin, Taiwan Taipei reported) “Jupiter conjunct Neptune” will occur at 4 am on April 13 (Wednesday), when Jupiter and Neptune are only 0.11 degrees apart, less than 1/5 of the full moon diameter. Jupiter conjunct Neptune will only happen once every 12 to 13 years on average. The last time was in 2009. If you miss this time, it will not appear again until 2035.
The Taipei Astronomical Science Education Center pointed out that the “conjunction” of a planet means that the two planets have the same longitude on the celestial sphere. Usually, the two planets appear to be very close at this time, but in fact they are still far away from each other. “For example, in fact, the distance between the two stars is 3.7 billion kilometers.
The planetarium said that the brightness of Jupiter was -2.7 that day, second only to Venus in the eastern sky before dawn, while Neptune was 7.8. Such brightness is not only invisible to the naked eye, even with a telescope. It is not easy to find in the stars, so I have really seen Neptune. not many people. However, when Jupiter meets Neptune, with bright Jupiter as an indicator, it is easier to find Neptune, as long as you can see it with binoculars, in addition to a row of Jupiter’s moons, the blue star closest to Jupiter is the Neptune.
The planetarium said that since the two stars did not rise until about 4:00 a.m. on April 13, it was close to dawn time. Therefore, it is recommended that the public should choose an unshaded place in the east before 5:00 a.m. and use binoculars or small telescopes to assist viewing.
Editor in charge: Lu Meiqi