Planets offer treat to astronomy buffs

Hyderabad: The year 2016 will see over 40 important astronomical events. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will be visible to the naked eye from January 29 to February 6.

Mr N. Raghunandan Kumar, director of Planetary Society, India said, “In 2016, there are over 70 conjunctions of the moon with planets. The opportunity to spot five planets at the same time last occurred 10 years ago. Four of the five planets that can be seen with the naked eye are visible now, just before dawn. Venus can be seen at around 6:15 am over the south-eastern horizon, with Saturn to its right.”

1.   Moon With Mars on February 1, 1.30 am onwards: On February 1, the moon is in the east and just below it Mars can be seen as a reddish non-twinkling object. Mars will be the brightest and closest in the last 10 years in May.

2.    Moon with Saturn on February 4: From 3.30am onwards one can see Saturn just above to the right of the moon .

3.    Moon with Venus and Mercury on Feb 6, 5.30 am onwards: Below the crescent moon one can see the bright Venus. To the left of Venus would be the dim Mercury.

In 2016 there will be five eclipses, only one of which will be visible in India.