Prepare for a 'planetary parade': How and when to watch 5 planets together in night sky
Keep an eye out for an exceptional planet treat later this month without the use of a telescope. Five planets -- Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Mars -- will be visible in the twilight sky for many people on Earth on March 27 and 28. The heavenly bodies will be visible in a stretch of the sky next to the waxing crescent moon, but experts say your viewing experience will be greatly influenced by your location.
As per reports, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn formed a celestial alignment last summer. It was that collection of planets' first alignment in 18 years, and it won't happen again until 2040, according to experts. Skywatchers claim that clusters of planets can frequently be seen in the night sky outside of true heavenly alignments.
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What is going to happen at the 'planetary parade'?
The phenomenon when several planets congregate closely on one side of the Sun at the same moment is known as a 'planetary alignment' in Astronomy. A 'planetary parade' is a colloquial word that, in the most general sense, refers to a night when several planets are visible in the sky.
March 28 will mark the first celestial alignment since June 2022, when five planets lined up in a way that hadn't occurred in almost two decades, reported USA Today. "Don’t forget to look to the sky the end of the month for the planetary alignment which will have at least five planets – plus the moon – all visible in almost an arc shape as seen from Earth," former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was one of the few people to walk on the moon, tweeted.
Don’t forget to look to the sky the end of the month for the planetary alignment which will have at least five planets – plus the moon – all visible in almost an arc shape as seen from Earth. https://t.co/9OINapk8fe
— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) March 16, 2023
Where to watch the 'planetary parade'?
You can watch the "planetary parade" from anywhere on Earth, but those in the Northern Hemisphere may have a better view, according to Rick Fienberg, senior contributing editor of Sky & Telescope magazine. Fienberg said there's still an excellent opportunity to see a few of the planets in our solar system at once, even though this isn't a true planetary alignment because the planets won't be in a straight line from the viewpoint of the sun.
"Most people don't pay attention to the night sky the way astronomy enthusiasts do, so they may not realize that some of the bright dots up there are even planets," Fienberg stated, adding, "So when the planets are all visible at the same time at a particular time of the year, it becomes a news story and people suddenly pay attention to the planets."
How to watch the 'planetary parade'?
The best conditions for viewing Jupiter and Mercury are clear skies and a clear view of the horizon, according to Fienberg. "Wait until the sun has set and then go out and look low in that bright part of the sky where the sun has just set with binoculars, and you should see brighter Jupiter next to fainter Mercury," Fienberg told NPR. He went on to state that Venus, the brightest of the group, will be high in the sky and easier to see, whereas Uranus, which is close by, might look faint and be only visible with binoculars. The reddish Mars will appear brightly near the moon.
When to watch?
According to Star Walk, the celestial alignment will take place on March 28 in the evening. The best day to watch it will be March 28, though it will be visible a few days before and after.
When are the next planetary alignments?
If you miss this celestial alignment, don't worry, five planets will do it again soon. According to the Star Walk, Mercury, Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn will make an appearance together on the morning of June 17, 2023.