A rare, spectacular planetary alignment will be visible in the early morning hours of Friday, June 3, 2022, when Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will line up in order of distance from the Sun through the sky. Although it is quite common to see two or three planets close together, seeing all five of these planets aligned is a rare event that has not happened since December 2004.
“That’s really great,” said Prof. Beth Biller, an exoplanet characterization expert at the University of Edinburgh. “We now know of many other stars that host many planets. This is a rare opportunity to see the same thing closer to home, as all five planets with the “naked eye” in our solar system are seen at once. “
According to Dr. Greg Brown, public astronomy at the Royal Museums, Greenwich, Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest to see as they will appear first in the night sky, while Mercury will be quite difficult to spot because it will barely rise. later, just before dawn.
“Your only chance to see all five planets at once is through a very narrow window after Mercury has risen, but before the sun rises,” said Dr. Brown. “A pair of binoculars or a telescope may be enough to overcome the twilight in the case of weaker planets, but be very careful when trying to observe Mercury in this way. Make sure the sun is below the horizon to avoid accidentally looking directly at it, which would be very dangerous to your eyes.
However, Mercury will become easier to spot later in June as it rises in the sky and illuminates. In addition, on June 24, the five planets will be joined by a crescent moon between Venus and Mars, which will create an “extraordinary scene,” said Dr. Samantha Rolfe, chief technical officer at the University of Hertfordshire Observatory.
“You don’t need binoculars or a telescope if you don’t have them – just enjoy the view from where you can, even if you can’t see all five of your locations,” Dr. Rolf said. “This is a rare spectacle that can help us feel connected to nature and the world around us, and enjoying the night sky in general is a great exercise for well-being.”
“Knowing that so many people are looking up at the same sky as our ancestors and our descendants did is something to be seen. Check the weather forecast for clear or even partially clear skies and set an alarm – it will be worth getting up. ”
–
By Andre Ionescu, a freelance writer on Earth.com
Add Comment