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'Planetary War' visible to Sri Lankans today

July 01, 2015

Two Pasalosvaka Poya days fall on July 1 and July 31 this year. On Adhi Esala Pasalosvaka Poya day on July 1 a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter will occur in the planetary system. Astrologically this is referred to as a 'planetary war.' Its maximum stage is scheduled to occur during the morning period, astronomer Anura C. Perera said.

 

He said this phenomenon will be visible to Sri Lankans before and after the conjunction and anyone gazing at the Western sky after sunset around 7.00 p.m. these days would see two brilliant planets about 45 degrees above ground.

"Of these, the one emitting a light similar to an electric bulb is the Venus," he said.

 

It will shine very clearly in a cloudless sky. The planet situated close to it emitting an orange light is Jupiter. Although Jupiter is the largest planet in the planetary system, it will be seen much smaller to Venus because it is situated very far away in the planetary system, Perera said.

 

He said Venus and Jupiter will be seen within the area of Cancer in the Zodiac.

 

"When these two planets move forward systematically in their orbit, they will be situated very close to each other at 1.22 p.m. today. Since this conjunction occurs in the noon sky, we would not be able to see it with the naked eye. But Venus and Jupiter could be seen in the night sky on June 30 and July 1," Perera said.