A rare celestial triangle: Witness the conjunction of the crescent moon with Mars and Saturn at dawn
An anticipated astronomical phenomenon will grace the skies of the Arab region
The Jeddah Astronomical Society announced that the skies of Saudi Arabia and the Arab region will witness a beautiful astronomical phenomenon before sunrise on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Amateur astronomers and the general public will be able to observe a unique “celestial triangle” formed by three bright celestial bodies: the waning crescent moon, Mars (the “Red Planet”), and Saturn (the “Lord of the Rings”).
The association's president, Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, explained that this celestial phenomenon will be clearly visible on the eastern horizon and can be observed with the naked eye without the need for special equipment, provided the sky is clear and far from sources of light pollution in cities. This event presents a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the beauty of the universe and understand the movement of celestial bodies.
Historical background and importance of observing astronomical conjunctions
Such apparent gatherings of celestial bodies in the sky are known as conjunctions. Throughout history, these phenomena have been of great interest to ancient civilizations. From the Babylonians and ancient Egyptians to Arab and Muslim astronomers, observing the movement of planets and stars was fundamental to creating calendars and determining times and directions. These conjunctions were sometimes considered indicators of important events or heavenly messages, and they inspired many myths and folk tales.
In modern times, these phenomena have lost their superstitious significance, acquiring purely scientific and educational value. They allow scientists and amateur astronomers alike to verify the accuracy of their calculations of planetary orbits, and they serve as a practical application for understanding the movement of our solar system and how the planets appear from our perspective on Earth.
Optimal monitoring methods and timing
For the best viewing, Abu Zahra advised starting observations about 45 to 60 minutes before sunrise. At this time, the three celestial bodies will have risen sufficiently above the eastern horizon, while the dawn's glare will still be faint enough to be clearly seen. Saturn, with its golden-yellow hue, will appear at the top of the triangle, while Mars, with its reddish-orange brilliance, will shine lower closer to the horizon. The thin crescent moon will complete the sides of this celestial geometric formation.
The faint crescent moon's illumination also presents a unique opportunity to observe the phenomenon known as "earthshine," the faint light that appears on the unlit portion of the moon's surface, caused by sunlight reflecting off Earth and onto the moon. Simple binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens can be used to reveal the details of the crescent and this phenomenon more clearly.
The scientific and educational importance of the event
The importance of observing such phenomena lies in their role in promoting scientific awareness among the public and correcting some inaccurate astronomical concepts. They are a vivid demonstration of the apparent daily movement of celestial bodies resulting from the Earth's rotation on its axis. They also highlight the distinctive color differences between the planets, which reflect the variations in their chemical and geological composition; the red color of Mars is due to iron oxides on its surface, while the golden color of Saturn results from the composition of its atmosphere.
Abu Zahra concludes that these astronomical events encourage those interested, especially the “Artemis generation” of young people, to document the phenomenon through astrophotography, and connect the public directly with modern space exploration programs, thus enhancing the passion for astronomy and space sciences and understanding our place in this vast universe.
