Skywatchers in Toronto, mark your calendars — we are in for yet another cosmic treat this weekend as a rare triple planetary conjunction will create the illusion of a “smiley face” in the sky!
On Friday, April 25, Venus, Saturn, and the Moon will appear close together in the sky, where Venus and Saturn will resemble “eyes” and the thin, crescent moon appear as the “smile”.
According to LiveScience, the celestial phenomenon will be visible for roughly an hour just before sunrise. With the sun expected to rise around 6:20 a.m. on April 25th, the best viewing time will be roughly between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m.
For the best chance to see the rare event, make sure you have a clear view of the eastern horizon — locations away from tall buildings and city lights, like Riverdale Park, Tommy Thompson Park, or even a clear spot along the lakeshore, will offer better visibility.
Both Venus and Saturn will be bright enough to spot with the naked eye. However, for a more detailed view, grab your binoculars or use a backyard telescope if you can.
Observers might also catch a glimpse of Mercury below the trio, adding another point of interest to take in.
This rare “smiley face” comes just days after the Lyrid meteor shower, which peaked on the night of April 21. While it is now past their peak, the Lyrids may still be visible until the 30th of April, where you could see over 80 meteors per hour.
One thing for sure is that is has been an incredible week for celestial events! Let’s just keep our fingers crossed for clear skies this Friday morning, and make sure to head out early and find a dark spot away from city lights for the best view.