PANAJI: The Association of Friends of Astronomy, marking its 44th anniversary, is inviting the public to witness a rare planetary line-up this Saturday, on National Science Day. The event coincides with the nationwide celebration of the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Sir C V Raman in 1928, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
Skywatchers can catch Mercury, Venus, and Saturn just above the western horizon shortly after sunset at 6.41 pm in Goa. At the same time, Jupiter and the waxing gibbous Moon will be visible in the eastern sky. Uranus and Neptune also lie between these two groups, though they are only visible through high-powered telescopes. The western planets’ position in the twilight haze adds to the challenge of observing this rare alignment.
Public observation sessions will be held at Miramar, Bogmalo, and Benaulim beaches on February 28, and at Art Park, Porvorim, on March 1. All programs run from 6.45 pm to 8.00 pm. Entry is free, and no prior registration is required.
