Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars will align with the Moon across the night sky tonight, with “pretty much the entire solar system” on show for stargazers.
The spectacle was visible to some after sunset yesterday, but this evening is set to have the best chance of spotting the Parade of Planets by looking to the west.
Venus would be the easiest planet to see because it’s the brightest object in the night sky away from the Moon, while astronomers say Jupiter and Mars would also be “easily visible to the naked eye,” even from a bright city like London.
However, a telescope will likely be needed to look at Mercury and Uranus.
“You can see pretty much the entire solar system in one night,” said astronomer Rory Bentley of the University of California. popular science.
what a sight; Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars will align with the moon across the night sky tonight, as “pretty much the entire solar system” puts on show for stargazers.
Experts say escaping from city life will provide the best chance for clearer views because urban areas are more affected by light pollution.
Celestial observers are also needed Watch early in the evening because Mercury and Jupiter will quickly disappear over the horizon.
Professor Beth Beller, from the University of Edinburgh, told MailOnline: ‘The exact location in the UK is probably not critical. The most important thing is to be outside the city and to be somewhere where you have a good view of the skyline.
Planets are displayed when a number of worlds fall into the same constellation.
while It is not uncommon to see two or three planets in the sky, the alignment of five is even less common.
It happened last year, and in both 2020 and 2016 before that.
Professor Beller added: ‘VEnus and Jupiter are both very bright and easy to spot and you may have seen them close together over the past few weeks.
Mars is a little fainter, but it’s still easy to see with the naked eye. Mercury starts to get tricky – you need to be in a dark location with a clear view of the horizon if you want to see Mercury.
Planetary alignments like this happen because the solar system is shaped like a flat disk, with the planets orbiting around the same flat area in space.
This means that from time to time they come into alignment along this flat line, with varying numbers of planets appearing in a different order.
Jake Foster, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, explained the best way to look at the map.
‘If you’re facing the western horizon, you should be able to see with your naked eye – so without any specialized equipment – three planets in a neat line across the sky, along with the moon,’ he said. Sky News.
First look: Astronomer Royal Scotland, Catherine Heimans, tweeted about the planetary display last night
Best chance: Experts say escaping city life will provide the best chance for clearer views because urban areas are more affected by light pollution (stock photo)
“If you have a telescope or a pair of binoculars, maybe even five planets and the moon.”
Astronomer Royal Scotland, Katherine Heimans, tweeted about our first glimpse of the planetary display last night.
“Great to see so many #PlanetaryParade fans at Portobello Beach tonight,” she wrote.
‘Brilliant clear skies – Venus and Mars looking so bright – a pity we’re so far to the north, Jupiter and Mercury mainly setting with the sun. #DoLookUp! “
Skywatchers don’t have to worry if they miss a scene A number of other planetary alignments will also take place this year.
In less than a month, Mercury, Uranus, Venus and Mars are expected to align again in a 35-degree sector of the sky.
Then on April 24, the 40-degree sector will take place with Mars, Venus, Uranus, and Mercury all coming together.
Last year, stargazers In the Northern Hemisphere, had the amazing opportunity to gaze at Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn simultaneously.
