Be sure to gaze upward at the heavens this weekend!
With proper planning, you might catch a glimpse of a unique astronomical occurrence called a “planetary parade.”
Here’s what you should understand about this event.
What is a planetary parade?
This event occurs when multiple planets become visible in the sky simultaneously. Since planets in our solar system orbit the Sun along the same plane, there are times when several planets’ orbits align, making them appear “clustered together in the heavens” from our perspective, according to .
NASA states on its website that “when this occurs, the planets seem to have roughly created a line from Earth’s viewpoint.”
This weekend, six planets will align in this manner: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, according to the .
Is a planetary parade rare?
Spotting a few planets together isn’t uncommon; the reports that these planetary alignments usually happen annually.
However, experts indicate that observing six planets simultaneously is more unusual.
“While it’s relatively frequent to see four or five planets at once, witnessing six is significantly more uncommon,” Megan Argo, an astrophysicist at the University of Lancashire, told .
When will the planetary parade be visible?
According to the Farmers’ Almanac, Saturday offers the prime viewing opportunity for the planetary parade, when the alignment will be at its best.
How will you best be able to see the planetary parade?
The Farmers’ Almanac recommends finding a spot with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed horizon for optimal viewing. Be sure to verify weather conditions in advance, as a cloudless sky is essential for the best experience.
Allow your eyes sufficient time to adapt to the dark. Four planets—Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter—should be visible to the unaided eye. However, you’ll require optical aid such as binoculars to view Uranus and Neptune, according to . Mercury might also be difficult to spot without assistance, so binoculars may improve your view of that planet as well.
