Six planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Neptune, and Uranus—will align in the night sky this weekend, creating a rare celestial event. Observers will need binoculars or a telescope to spot Neptune and Uranus. NASA has celebrated the occasion by releasing sonifications based on data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Dr. Megan Argo from the University of Lancashire explained that this alignment occurs because the planets’ orbits occasionally bring them into a similar area of the sky as seen from Earth. While it’s common to see four or five planets together, seeing six is quite unusual. The last occurrence of all seven planets was in the previous year, with the next full lineup expected in 2040.
The planets will be visible for a few days surrounding February 28, with Jupiter and Venus easily spotted for months, whereas Mercury might be challenging to see by midweek. Those wishing to view the parade should head outside early in the evening (5:45 p.m. in the UK, 6 p.m. in the US) and seek an unobstructed view to the west.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Jupiter will be high in the southeast, while the other planets will appear clustered near the western horizon. Venus will shine the brightest, followed by Mercury, with Saturn and Neptune slightly above. Uranus, being dimmer, can be found near the Seven Sisters star cluster. Stargazing apps and binoculars are recommended, but it’s crucial to avoid looking at the sun through them.
Dr. Ed Bloomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich noted that the event will also be visible in the Southern Hemisphere, albeit in a reversed order. In Australia, Jupiter will appear in the north, with Uranus near the Seven Sisters in the northwest. Observers should account for a later sunset and the quick-setting times of Venus and Mercury. The celestial display will also include the moon over the next few days.
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