Gulf | Oman
'Smiley' in the sky greets Muscat residents
Residents of Muscat were smiling back at the 'smiley' in the sky after witnessing a rare celestial event when the sun set behind stark brown mountains on Monday.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 13:58 December 2, 2008
- The 'smiley' was the uncommon conjunction of the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, along with the crescent moon, forming a celestial triangle that appeared like a smiling face.
- Image Credit: Sunil K. Vaidya/Gulf News
Muscat: Residents of Muscat were smiling back at the 'smiley' in the sky after witnessing a rare celestial event when the sun set behind stark brown mountains on Monday.
The 'smiley' is one of the rarest astronomical phenomena. It is the uncommon conjunction of the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, along with the crescent moon, forming a wonderful celestial triangle that appeared like a smiling face.
The two brightest planets in the solar system and the moon were seen just two degrees apart, and was witnessed all over the world.
According to astronomers, the celestial visual feast is a rarity that is unlikely to occur again in the near future. It could be repeated may be in another 60 to 100 years. The next celestial hook-up of the two planets and the moon is expected in the year 2036.
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