On , skywatchers will have a rare opportunity to witness a “planetary parade” – an alignment of six planets visible in the evening sky. The event, described as a “universe show” accessible to the public, will feature Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter.
The alignment isn’t a perfect straight line as viewed from Earth, but rather a concentration of planets appearing in a broad area of the western sky. The visibility of each planet will vary, with some being considerably easier to spot than others.
Venus and Jupiter will be the most readily observable. Venus shines brightly, comparable to a street lamp, making it difficult to miss. Jupiter, positioned higher in the sky, is also bright and easily identifiable.
Mercury and Saturn will present a greater challenge. They will appear low on the horizon, with dimmer luminosity. Optimal viewing will require a clear horizon and minimal light pollution, ideally observed shortly after sunset before buildings or terrain obstruct the view. Saturn will have a yellowish-white hue, while Mercury will be a smaller, fainter point of light.
Uranus and Neptune will be the most difficult to observe. Their faintness necessitates the use of stargazing applications to pinpoint their locations. However, they will appear higher in the sky than Saturn, increasing the chances of successful observation with careful positioning.
The best viewing window is expected to be between 30 and 90 minutes after sunset. Patience is key, as waiting for the sun to fully set will improve visibility. Observers are advised to look towards the western low horizon.
Location plays a significant role in viewing conditions. Regions with minimal light pollution, such as parts of South Asia, Europe, North Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the western regions of North and South America, offer the best prospects. However, the event will be visible from many locations globally, though clarity may vary.
This “planetary parade” occurs when, from Earth’s perspective, multiple planets appear clustered together in the sky. While Mars is not participating in this particular alignment, the gathering of six planets is considered a rare and noteworthy astronomical event. The term “six-star conjunction” has also been used to describe this phenomenon.
The event is a visual spectacle resulting from the orbital mechanics of the planets. Planets do not actually physically align in a straight line in three dimensions; it’s a perspective effect from our vantage point on Earth. The planets orbit the sun on different planes, making a true alignment impossible.
For those interested in locating the planets, the Star Walk 2 app offers a “Planet Walk” feature that visualizes the alignment from a user’s specific location. This can be a valuable tool for identifying the fainter planets like Uranus, and Neptune.
