So close yet so far is literal.
What happens:
Planetary conjunction — Mars catching up to Jupiter along ecliptic, lining up from Earth perspective. At closest approach 02:04 UTC Nov 16 (07:34 IST), separation 1.2° per Abrams Planetarium / StarWalk — 1°11′ to 1°14′ range. That's fingertip at arm's length, slightly more than two full Moons.
Not real proximity — 350-550M km apart in space per NASA, Mars rocky inner, Jupiter gas giant far beyond. Trick of perspective.
When & where to look from Kolkata:
- Best dates: Nov 15 (Sunday) and 16 (Monday) mornings — remains close Nov 14-18.
- Best time: 4:00-5:30 am local, 45-60 min before sunrise (∼5:50am IST). For US window quoted same.
- Direction: South to southeast sky, high up — not low horizon advantage, so buildings less issue.
- Location in sky: Constellation Leo, near Sickle asterism, bright star Regulus forms triangle with pair. Nov 30 Moon will join them.
- Chennai TOI note: Jupiter and Mars rise around midnight, Venus 4am, Mercury 5am Nov 14 — 4-planet parade until Dec 2. Mercury tricky low, becomes easier Nov 20-22.
How to identify:
Jupiter mag -2.0 to -2.1 white, brilliant — easiest anchor. Mars mag +0.7 orange-red, dimmer, slightly above and to left of Jupiter on Nov 16. Naked eye fine even suburban — no telescope needed, binoculars fit both in same field. Small telescope reveals Jupiter's 4 Galilean moons, but highlight is naked-eye double.
Why unique this month:
Part of Nov 13-22 four-planet alignment — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter in same dawn patch. Plus Northern Taurids fireballs peaked Nov 12, Leonids peak Nov 17-18, first of three supermoons Nov 24, and Voyager 1 hits one light-day Nov 17.
Mars-Jupiter conjunctions occur roughly every 2.2 years because Mars orbital period 1.88 yrs vs Jupiter 11.86 yrs, so Mars laps. This one tightest this year.
Tips:
Dark spot, clear southeast, eyes adapt 10 min, smartphone on tripod Pro mode can capture — UK photos Nov 12 already show pair with Samsung A53.
Clear morning in Kolkata? Look south-southeast now — you catch preview before Sunday peak.
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