Cloudy skies spoil Jupiter show for Bangkokians but others in provinces enjoy spectacle
Stargazers in many parts of Thailand witnessed an astronomical phenomenon on Saturday night even with naked eyes but there was disappointment for Bangkokians.
People in Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chachoengsao provinces saw the giant planet Jupiter at its closest to the Earth, causing an eclipse on Jupiter.
In Bangkok, a large crowd gathered at Siam Paragon Mall on April 8 to take part in an activity organised by National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology to witness the phenomenon. However, cloudy skies blocked their view of this celestial spectacle.
Sarun Posayachinda, deputy director of NARIT, said that Jupiter’s Great Red Spot was caused by a large storm which has been active for over 100 years and is a phenomenon that astronomers have always been interested in.
As for Jupiter’s closest approach to the Earth, Sarun said it will happen again on May 9.