It’s conjunction time! This is the Northern Hemisphere view. The Southern Hemisphere view, below, is even better. The moon, brilliant Venus and fainter Mars and Saturn all bunch together in a conjunction. They can all be seen within an 8-degree circle on March 27 and 28, 2022. Chart via John Jardine Goss.
Conjunction on morning of March 28: Wow
In the early morning sky, the waning crescent moon has been near three planets. Now, a series of conjunctions is about to happen. Watch for these worlds Monday morning, March 28, 2022, when they and the moon will fit within an 8-degree circle on the sky’s dome.
Mars is four degrees north of the moon at 3 UTC on March 28
Venus is seven degrees north of the moon at 10 UTC on March 28.
Saturn is four degrees north of the moon at 12 UTC on March 28.
Venus is two degrees north of Saturn at 13 UTC on March 29.
Indeed, the view on March 28 is a real stunner. And if you get a great pic, submit it to us!
Look here for photos of the March 2022 moon and planets
Also, a note to telescope users: A faint comet, 22P/Kopff, is near the planets on March 27 and 28. But, at 11th magnitude, and with dawn rising, you’ll need your telescope to catch it. In addition, dark skies, and experience with seeing faint objects, will also help.
The view from the Southern Hemisphere
Furthermore, the view is even better from the Southern Hemisphere, as the path of the ecliptic rises at a steeper angle from the horizon. Not only will you see Venus, Mars and Saturn close to the moon, you may even spot Jupiter before sunrise.
Morning sky on March 28 for skywatchers in the Southern Hemisphere. Lucky you! The ecliptic – or path of the sun, moon and planets in our sky – makes a steep angle with the dawn horizon on autumn mornings. Therefore, the action takes place for you directly above the sunrise, rather than to one side as for people in the Northern Hemisphere. Chart via John Jardine Goss.
Bottom line: See the morning planets – Venus, Mars and Saturn – in conjunction, plus the moon which joins the view on March 27 and 28, 2022. In the Southern Hemisphere, you might see Jupiter as well.