Late February holds a special surprise for astronomers, as seven planets align in a so-called planetary parade. Not all planets are visible with the naked eye, but the experience provides a tantalizing opportunity to view planets of our solar system.
A planetary parade occurs when several planets appear to line up in the sky at dusk. Although they will not be in a straight line, they will be near one another on one side of the sun. This is not uncommon since it occurs at least once per year, depending on the number of planets. A smaller parade with four or five visible planets happens every few years, NASA reports.
A similar parade was witnessed in June last year, but there were just two planets visible to the naked eye without the use of any aids. Six planets were visible in January, and four of them were distinctly visible to the naked eye. This month, however, is the most thrilling one because a thin Mercury joins Venus, Mars, and Jupiter, all of which are visible to the naked eye.
While Venus, Mars, and Jupiter are bright enough to be seen without binoculars, Saturn and Mercury are lower down towards the horizon and difficult to locate without them. Uranus and Neptune are visible but require binoculars or a telescope to be seen.
For the best opportunity to see the planetary procession, get outside on a cloudless evening after dark. The planets will appear brighter than the vast majority of stars and Mars will be an obvious reddish-orange speck in the sky. To assist in identifying their locations, mobile apps can give directions on where to gaze.
This celestial parade is a fleeting one, as the planets gradually go out of sight as spring persists. It is a reminder of the splendor of our universe, with room for astronomers to become part of the universe.
The planetary parade is a transitory phenomenon fleeting spectacle, for the planets will gradually vanish from view into spring. It will evoke wonder in the beholder for our Solar System and enable individuals to connect with the universe.
