Jupiter approaching Mars over Qatar sky on Sunday

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) People in Qatar will be able to observe Mars close to Jupiter in the early hours of Sunday, Qatar Calendar House (QCH) has said.

'Jupiter will be approaching Mars on the last day of the year, and the angular distance between the two planets will be less than two degrees over the dawn sky, according to a statement jointly issued by QCH director Dr Mohamed al-Ansari and noted astronomer Dr Beshir Marzouk.

Dr Marzouk said Mars could be seen close to Jupiter over the eastern horizon of the Qatar sky with the naked eye, from the rising time of Jupiter until sunrise time. Jupiter will rise in the Qatar sky at 2.24am, while sunrise will be at 6.19am, he adds.

Also, people in Qatar have a good chance to enjoy a 'beautiful astronomical view involving four planets - Mars, Jupiter, Mercury and Saturn - with their naked eye and also through astronomical instruments. This can be done from the rising time of Saturn over the eastern horizon of the Qatar sky at 5.43am Doha until sunrise time, according to Dr Marzouk.

The astronomical phenomenon is important because it's a good chance to observe four planets together and click nice photographs with the suitable equipment. It also serves as a guide for amateur astronomers to learn about the map of the sky and helps validate astronomical calculations, he explains.

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