Skywatchers Get Ready for a Planetary Parade
This month, stargazers can look forward to an exciting sight in the night sky. Six planets will be visibly aligned, creating a beautiful display often called a planetary parade. This is the final event of its kind for the year, so make sure to catch it while you can.
Such parades happen when several planets line up in the sky. While they may occur yearly, the visibility depends on the specific arrangement of the planets, with at least one bright planet usually shining through on most nights—weather permitting, of course.
Earlier this year, we had a fantastic opportunity in January to see six planets, and in February, all planets in our solar system were spotted, although not all were visible to the naked eye.
This month, you can see Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and a somewhat faint Mercury without requiring any special equipment. If you’re equipped with binoculars or a telescope, you might also catch glimpses of Uranus and Neptune.
Just this week, Jupiter and Venus had a close encounter, appearing closely aligned in the eastern sky. Carolyn Sumners from the Houston Museum of Natural Science described their proximity as resembling “close together like cat’s eyes.”
On Tuesday morning, Mercury will reach a point in its orbit where it’s farthest from the sun, making it easier to spot before it fades into the sun’s light.
To witness these planets, step outside in the morning just before the sun rises, and direct your gaze eastward. Start by looking for Jupiter and Venus clustered together. Saturn will be off to the side, while Mercury will be near the horizon, trying to rise ahead of the sun.
“You’ll be searching for tiny points of light, but these will be the brightest ones,” explained Justin Bartel from the Science Museum of Virginia. “Unlike stars, they don’t twinkle as much.”
Before you go out, ensure that you have a clear, cloudless sky and try to stay away from tall buildings that might obstruct your view. Remember, Mercury will soon hide behind the sun again later this month, but a crescent moon will join the parade shortly after. The next big planetary gathering is expected in February.
Enjoy the wonders of the cosmos!
