In the early hours of June 3 and 4, 2024, stargazers will have the rare opportunity to witness a spectacular celestial event as six planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus align in the night sky. This alignment, known as a planet parade, will also feature Earth’s waning crescent moon, with Venus being the only absentee.
While it’s not uncommon to see several planets in the sky simultaneously, it’s less frequent for five or six planets to align. Such large alignments are notable events for astronomers and sky watchers alike. This upcoming alignment offers a unique visual treat, though the planets won’t actually line up in space as depicted in Solar System diagrams.
Planetary alignments occur because all the planets orbit the Sun on a nearly flat plane called the ecliptic. Occasionally, as they move along their orbits, they appear to line up from our vantage point on Earth. This phenomenon happens because planets form from the same disk of material around a young star, maintaining a relatively level orbital plane.
For those planning to observe the alignment, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye. However, Uranus and Neptune, being much farther and fainter, will require binoculars or a telescope to see.
How to Watch
The planetary alignment will be visible from most locations around the world, roughly an hour before sunrise on June 3. Viewing times and planetary positions will vary depending on your location. To assist with this, several tools are available:
•Time and Date: This interactive tool allows users to set specific dates and view rise and set times for each planet, along with their sky positions.
•Stellarium: A web tool that shows real-time positions of planets, providing a detailed map of the night sky.
•Sky Tonight: A free mobile app that uses your phone’s GPS to display the real-time positions of celestial objects.
For those who miss this event, there are more alignments to look forward to. Similar six-planet alignments will occur on August 28, 2024, and January 18, 2025, in the pre-dawn hours. A particularly spectacular sight will take place on the evening of February 28, 2025, when all seven other planets will be visible in the sky simultaneously.
Mark your calendars and prepare your viewing equipment for these incredible astronomical events. Happy stargazing!
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