Poster Maker: Feng Juan
What is the picture of two planets in the solar system "in the same frame" as the moon? Here's your chance! According to astronomical science experts, in the early morning of February 27 and 28, Venus, Mars and the moon will continue to "gather" at a low altitude in the southeast. As long as the weather is good, interested public across the country can see this interesting picture with the naked eye before sunrise.
Beijing astronomy enthusiast Zheng Zhi photographed "Golden Fire with the Moon" in Beijing on December 5, 2016. (Courtesy of me)
Xiu Lipeng, director of the Tianjin Astronomical Society and an expert in astronomical science popularization, introduced that at about 6 o'clock in the morning of the 27th, in the low altitude in the southeast, in the slight morning light, a curved moon was hanging obliquely like a silver hook, like a boat swaying. Not far to the top left of the moon, there is an unusually striking bright star, which is Venus that appears in the form of a "day star". Not long ago, in the early morning of February 13, Venus had just ushered in its brightest spot in 2022. Therefore, Venus is still gorgeous at this time. Taking Venus as a reference, not far to its lower right, a closer look reveals that there is a slightly reddish star, which is Mars that has just returned to human vision after disappearing for more than half a year.
Tianjin astronomy enthusiast Yang Jing photographed Venus in Tianjin on the morning of February 24, 2022. (Courtesy of me)
"Venus and Mars are like two gems that were accidentally left on a boat, one white and one red, one bright and one dark, and a bend of the moon' is very ornamental." As time passes, the double stars and the remnant moon continue to rise, and when the golden light is revealed in the east, the celestial phenomenon is even more beautiful. Xiu Lipeng said.
At the same time the next day, the two planets and the hooked moon will be "in the same frame" again, but the mutual positions of the stars and moons will change slightly. "The relative height of the moon will be lower." Xiu Lipeng said.
A close-up of Mars taken by Beijing astronomy enthusiast Zong Haiyang on October 18, 2020. (Courtesy of me)
Ancient China called Venus "Taibai", which was called "Day Star" when it appeared in the morning and "Chang Gung Star" when it appeared at dusk, which can be said to be "the brightest star in the night sky". Mars was the first planet outside earth's orbit and was red in color.
Tianjin astronomy enthusiast Ma Qiang photographs Venus in Tianjin on the morning of February 4, 2022. (Courtesy of me)
Xiu Lipeng reminded that if interested members of the public want to witness the interesting celestial phenomenon of "double stars and the moon", they must get up early and choose an empty and open field of view in the southeast when observing.
Producer: Hu Qinghai
Planner: Liu Xinhui
Reporter: Zhou Runjian
Editors: Lian Changyan, Tang Jianhui
It was co-produced by Xinhua News Agency and Tianjin Branch of Xinhua News Agency
Produced by Starry Sky Studios