PANAJI: The entire solar system aligns this fortnight in the visible sky and will be observed in different proportions from different altitudes of planet Earth. Wide attention is being drawn to this celestial spectacle as it coincides with the closing of the once in 144-year Mahakumbh festival at Prayagraj.
For Goa, the Sun and moon set from 6.41 pm to 6.50 pm in the West in constellation Aquarius. Saturn, Neptune, Mercury and Venus are all located in adjacent Pisces, also in the West. Due to the very low position of Pisces and the Twilight haze, Saturn, Neptune, and Mercury will not be visible.
However Venus in Pisces, Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus and Mars in Gemini will be visible in the night sky and complete the alignment, which is scheduled to repeat next in the year 2040.
The Public Astronomical observatory at Junta House, Panaji, will organise a special observation program on Friday, 28th February from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Highlight of the event will be observation of the elusive blue planet, Uranus, from the high powered Celestron 14 telescope.
The observation is subject to sky conditions, entry is free without any prior registration and on first come basis.