2021 Best Moon-Planet Conjunctions

2021 BEST MOON-PLANET CONJUNCTIONS

Image Credits: NASA/JPL Solar System Simulator developed by: David Seal

FOVs and Magnifications Vary

L O A D I N G

Click on the labels directly above to view the Best Moon-Planet Conjunctions of 2021, where a major planet appears to pass within 1.2° of the Moon. Note that these views are geocentric—i.e. from Earth's center—so the apparent angular distances between the Moon and the planet may be slightly different from those you'll see from your own location on Earth's surface. In fact, (as you'll see below) from your own location, one or more of these events may let you witness the planet passing behind the Moon! Because the Moon moves relatively fast against the back- ground sky—about one of its own diameters each hour—these "close apparent approaches" are visible only at limited locations and for short durations. But if you are in the right place at the right time, they are a real treat, because they can be witnessed without a telescope.

Note that the first, third and last conjunctions for 2021 will produce lunar occultations somewhere on Earth! That is, somewhere on Earth the noted planet will be seen passing behind the Moon! Unfortunately, these "disappearing planet" events are visible at even more limited locations than conjunctions. But if you are lucky enough to witness a lunar occultation, you will enjoy an event which few others on Earth have ever seen or will ever see! In fact, the image above of the Moon-Mars occultation of Apr 17 is actually shown just before the Red Planet "hides" behind Earth's lunar companion. The actual time of the "center" of this occultation is about 12:00 noon UTC, roughly half an hour "after" the time shown above. You may be able to witness this occultation if you are in the region of south- east Asia near the the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand! You can find out precisely where and when lunar occultations are visible on the excellent IOTA Moon Occultation pages.

You'll also want to take a look at our 2021 Best Planet Conjunctions page.

Simulator Image Notes: 1) Fields of View are measured horizontally. 2) Eclipse shadows of planetary moons are not displayed. 3) Light-Travel Time is not included in calculated times. 4) Planets are viewed with their local north "upward", i.e. in the 12:00 midnight direction. 5) Simulator expresses the phase (where applicable) as the absolute value of the phase angle.

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