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Seven Planets to Align in Spectacular Planetary Parade
On the final day of February, a remarkable natural phenomenon will take place as seven planets align in a celestial display known as a planetary parade.
These events occur when multiple planets appear to line up in the night sky, creating a visual spectacle for stargazers.
Dr. Greg Brown, an astronomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explained, “A planetary parade is a moment when multiple planets are visible in the sky at the same time. The impressiveness of the parade largely depends on how many planets are involved and their visibility.”
This week, while all seven planets can technically be seen, their visibility varies significantly. “Mercury, Neptune, and Saturn will be very low on the horizon in the early evening. Particularly for Neptune and Saturn, visibility will be challenging during twilight,” Brown noted. “Uranus shares this plight, appearing faint and typically requiring binoculars or a telescope to observe.”
In contrast, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be prominent and easily seen with the naked eye.
According to NASA, alignments featuring four or five planets visible without equipment occur every few years.
“It’s not unusual to see groups of three, four, or even five planets throughout the year,” Brown added. “However, for a full seven-planet parade, more precise alignment is necessary, making such occurrences relatively rare.”
A similar planetary parade occurred last June, but at that time, only two planets were visible without special equipment. In January, six planets were sighted, with four being observable to the naked eye, and now a subtle Mercury joins the lineup.
During this month, observers can easily spot Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, while Saturn and Mercury will be more challenging due to their proximity to the horizon. Uranus and Neptune may be observable through binoculars and telescopes.
Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, commented, “Planetary alignments occur because the planets orbit the Sun within a consistent plane known as the ecliptic plane. Their varying speeds and distances from the Sun create moments when they appear to align from our perspective on Earth.”
For those in the UK, the optimal time to view this celestial alignment is shortly after sunset on 28 February, when the planets will be positioned above the western horizon. Stargazers in Australia should look north after sunset, while those in the US are advised to find a dark area about 30 minutes post-sunset for the best view.
Stargazing apps can be quite beneficial, guiding users on where to look soon after sunset worldwide.
When using a telescope, Brown recommends searching for celestial shapes. “Look for the moons of Jupiter or the illuminated crescent of Venus’s surface, resembling a tiny moon,” he suggested.
As spring approaches, the visibility of these planets will gradually wane.
With PA Media
Source
www.theguardian.com