Sky watchers will get a rare treat this Saturday as a six-planet parade appears in the night sky. If the weather stays clear, people around the world can spot several planets aligned across the sky.
According to NASA, the event happens because the planets move along similar orbital paths around the Sun. At certain times, their positions line up from Earth’s perspective, creating what astronomers call a planetary parade.
Which Planets Will Be Visible
During this event, six planets will appear in the sky.
Four of them will be easy to see without equipment:
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Mercury
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Venus
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Saturn
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Jupiter
The other two planets will need binoculars or a telescope:
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Uranus
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Neptune
Unlike a solar eclipse, viewers do not need any protective eyewear to watch this event.
Best Time to Watch the Planetary Parade
People across the globe can see the alignment. The best viewing time depends on location.
Astronomers suggest looking at the sky during twilight.
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Early risers should watch before sunrise.
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Night observers should look shortly after sunset.
Planets need to appear about 10 degrees above the horizon to become visible. If they sit too low, Earth’s atmosphere may block them.
For the clearest view, observers should move away from city lights and find a location with dark skies and a clear horizon.
How to Identify the Planets
Experts say each planet has its own visual clue.
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Venus usually appears first because it shines the brightest after the Moon. It produces a strong white glow in the western sky after sunset.
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Mars appears as a small red dot.
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Saturn shows a pale yellow color.
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Jupiter sits higher in the sky and looks bright and steady.
Mercury can be difficult to spot. The best chance to see it is 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. It will appear as a small white light near the horizon.
Why Planetary Alignments Matter
Planetary alignments do more than create beautiful sky views. They also help scientists plan space missions.
For example, NASA’s InSight Mars Mission had to wait for the right alignment between Earth and Mars before launching in 2018. When planets move closer together in their orbits, spacecraft can travel faster and use less fuel.
More Sky Events Coming Soon
Several other celestial events will follow in the coming months.
On Tuesday, a total lunar eclipse will turn the Moon red. Many people call this event a blood moon.
Later in the year, on May 31, sky watchers will see a blue moon. Despite the name, the Moon will not appear blue. The term describes the second full moon in one calendar month.
Another highlight will occur on June 8 and 9. During those nights, Venus and Jupiter will appear extremely close in the sky. From Earth, they will look only a pinky-finger distance apart, even though millions of miles separate them in space.
For astronomy lovers, the upcoming months promise several exciting opportunities to explore the night sky.
