A conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter
Other planets will join the display during this summer’s appulse
When: 19 July 2022
Equipment to use: Binoculars for the conjunction; a high-powered telescope to see the three planets; a DSLR camera to get creative.
Conjunctions provide a unique opportunity to observe planets near another celestial body, be that the Moon or another planet. In July, we’ll see Jupiter get 2°13’ to a waning gibbous Moon (60 per cent illuminated). Look up at the night sky to the southeast on 19 July and the two bodies will be the equivalent of a couple of little finger-widths apart. Their proximity is best appreciated by eye or with a pair of binoculars. Even though Jupiter and the Moon will be passing close together visually, they are still too far apart to fit in the same field of view with a small telescope.
While the night sky won’t be fully dark, both objects are easy to spot. At about 3am, you should be able to catch Jupiter and the Moon close together, with Saturn and Mars also up. Even better, the Milky Way will be directly overhead, with the core lying to the southwest. The straight-ish line the planets form will provide an opportunity for some wide-field astrophotography too. By eye, Saturn and Mars glow a soft reddish orange, making it easy for amateur astronomers to locate them.
Get prepared
Head to a location with clear horizons to the southeast on the 19th. The Moon and Jupiter will appear in the same field of view in a pair of lowpower binoculars; however, due to the planetary activity it would be a good idea to bring a wide-aperture telescope as well to get the best views from your observing session, when the gas giant is part-obscured behind the Moon’s limb. If you’re planning on some wide-field photography, any DSLR with a wide-field lens (14-35mm) will do the trick. Longer focal length lenses can still be used – pan across the view to create a panorama and capture the planets either side of the conjunction. You could also use the conjunction to try capturing a composite image. Take some images of the Moon with shorter exposures, and combine them with slightly longer exposures for Saturn, Mars and the Milky Way to create a more complete picture of the event.