In a groundbreaking astronomical feat, British photographer Josh Dury has potentially made history by capturing the first-ever image of seven planets plus Earth in a single frame. This extraordinary photograph was taken on February 22 from Somerset’s Mendip Hills, during a rare celestial event known as the “great planetary parade.”
The great planetary parade occurs when all eight planets in the solar system align on one side of the Sun a phenomenon that last happened in 1982. Astronomers classify planetary alignments based on the number of planets visible in a single region of the sky. While three- or four-planet alignments are common, a full planetary parade is an exceptionally rare event.
Dury’s panoramic image captures Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, meticulously pieced together using a series of nine stitched images. To overcome the challenge of capturing the faintest planets Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune Dury employed a dual-exposure technique, using both a base exposure and a higher ISO setting to enhance their visibility. He verified the planets’ positions using astronomy apps and celestial sphere maps.
Dury, an award-winning astrophotographer known as the “Starman”, used a Sony A7S II camera paired with a Sigma 15mm Diagonal Fisheye lens to capture this rare event. He explained that due to their proximity to the Sun and low position on the horizon, Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune were exceptionally difficult to photograph. Slight misalignment in their relative positions resulted from the cloud cover and their brief visibility window.
“I managed to capture a panorama image of the seven planets, also known as the planetary parade. It is made of nine images, revealing Saturn, Mercury, and Neptune. They were very tricky to spot,” Dury told The Telegraph.
This planetary parade is reaching its climax, with the final alignment occurring on February 28. Following a partial alignment of Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune between January 21-29, this upcoming celestial event will be the last time until 2040 that all seven planets, including Mercury, will align in the night sky.
Where and How to Watch in India
The planetary alignment will be visible across India, with Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. However, to observe Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune, a telescope will be required due to their faint visibility.
Dury’s breathtaking capture not only showcases the beauty of the universe but also marks a historic moment in astronomical photography, immortalizing a once-in-a-generation cosmic alignment.
