📷 Image Credits: The Times of India
The recent celestial event known as the ‘planet parade’ has captured the attention of sky-watchers around the world, promising a rare alignment of six planets in the sky. While this phenomenon is not as uncommon as it may seem, it still offers a unique opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts to observe the planetary lineup. On Monday, viewers in Europe and North America had the chance to witness Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter align in the predawn sky, with Uranus also visible for those equipped with binoculars. However, as Dr. James O’Donoghue, a planetary astronomer, pointed out, the alignment may not be easily visible due to the bright sky near sunrise. The alignment, which includes Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn, creates a striking visual in the sky, especially when accompanied by a crescent moon. It’s essential to note that this alignment is a visual phenomenon observed from Earth’s perspective, with the planets appearing to form a straight line in the sky. While this event is not a rare occurrence, there will be several more opportunities in the future to witness similar planetary alignments. Dr. Kate Pattle, a lecturer in physics and astronomy, recommends sky-watchers to look out for Mercury about an hour before sunrise for the best viewing experience. Tools such as Stellarium Mobile or Night Sky can assist viewers in identifying the planets in the sky with low light pollution and a clear view to the east. Jupiter, being the brightest of the planets, will be the easiest to spot, followed by the other planets which do not twinkle like stars. With this celestial event offering a glimpse into the cosmic dance of our solar system, astronomy enthusiasts are encouraged to seize the opportunity to marvel at the ‘parade of planets’ in the sky.
