Conjunction (astronomy)

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This article is about conjunctions in astronomy. For other uses of the term Conjunction, please see Conjunction (disambiguation).

In astronomy, a conjunction is the occasional convergence of multiple heavenly bodies on one spot in the sky as observed from the Earth. Conjunctions involve either two objects in the Solar System or one object in the Solar System and a more distant object, such as a star. A conjunction is an apparent phenomenon caused by the observer's perspective: the two objects involved are not actually close to one another in space. Conjunctions between two bright objects close to the ecliptic, such as two bright planets, can be seen with the naked eye.

When two objects always appear close to the ecliptic—such as two planets, the Moon and a planet, or the Sun and a planet—this fact implies an apparent close approach between the objects as seen in the sky. A related word, appulse, is the minimum apparent separation in the sky of two astronomical objects.[1]

1. ↑ Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office and United States Naval Observatory (2012). Appulse. Glossary, The Astronomical Almanac Online.