Thai people invited to see "Moon smiles"

BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - Astronomy enthusiasts and the general public could admire the beauty of "Moon Smiles" from June 19-21, just after the sun sets, and they could appreciate the beauty with their own eyes throughout Thailand if the sky was clear. Saran Poshyachinda, Deputy Director of the National Astronomical Research Institute, under the Thai Ministry of Science and Technology, told journalists that the rare astronomical incident happens as the Venus and the Jupiter stay not too far from each other, while the Moon stays below them. Saran said the incident could be seen during early of the night and on the western side, assessing that the most interesting part should take place on Saturday night, as the Venus and the Jupiter is only six degrees apart and they look like two eyes, while the moon would stay below the two stars. The senior official insisted if the sky was clear, people across Thailand could see the rare phenomenon until slightly after 9pm. The last ‘Moon smiles” could be seen in Thailand on December 1, 2008. For those who missed the ongoing opportunity, a similar ‘Moon smiles’ incident could be seen again early of the night and on the western side on July 18, 2015, but the Venus would change its position as it would stay above the Jupiter and they would be apart by only five degrees and the Moon would appear below them. It is expected that people could hardly admire the beauty of the stars on July 18 because the Moon is projected to stay above the skyline slightly and the ray of the Sun might disturb visibility. (TNA)