Latest news with #CarolynSumners
Euronews
20 hours ago
- Science
- Euronews
How to spot the planet parade in the predawn sky this month
Fans of stargazing, the solar system, and early wakeup calls are in for a treat this month. Five planets are currently visible from Earth at the same time, in what's known as a planet parade – or a planetary alignment, in astronomical terms. It is a celestial phenomenon where planets can be seen from the Earth simultaneously. A "planet parade is when, if you look in the same old part of the sky at the same time, there's a bunch of planets,' said Carolyn Sumners, vice president for astronomy at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in the United States. Among those observable with the naked eye are Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. Uranus and Neptune will be visible through binoculars and telescopes. Planets always appear along a line or arc across the sky from Earth because they orbit the Sun in a relatively flat, disc-shaped plane. But the opportunity to observe multiple planets simultaneously with the naked eye is special, according to NASA. The planets also have to appear high enough above the horizon to be visible. For most observers to see a planet with the naked eye, NASA says the planet must be at least a few degrees above the horizon. Ten degrees or higher is best. This month, the planets will rise and be visible just before sunrise in the Northern Hemisphere. 'We're talking about an hour before sunrise. Don't get up any earlier, but you can't get much later because the sun's gonna blow this away," Sumners said. Rare chance to see Mercury There will also be a rare chance to glimpse Mercury, which is normally too close to the Sun to see, for a few days reportedly beginning August 17. "Mercury just kind of crawls away from the sun for a few nights, and we can see it right after sunset or right before sunrise, then it goes and hides behind the Sun again as it goes around the Sun. That's why it's a tricky planet to observe, but it's there," Sumners said. In the coming days, Mercury will move further from the Sun and complete the lineup of six planets. It will then hide behind the Sun again toward the end of the month, though a crescent Moon will then join the parade. While a planetary parade isn't rare to spot, it will be the last of 2025. For more on this story, watch the video in the media player above.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Science
- New York Post
How to see the six planets hanging out in the morning skies this month
Six planets are hanging out in the sky this month in what's known as a planetary parade. Catch the spectacle while you can because it's the last one of the year. These linkups happen when several planets appear to line up in the night sky at once. Such parades are fairly common, happening around every year depending on the number of planets. 4 In the pre-dawn sky, you can currently see Venus and Jupiter aligned in Oxfordshire, UK, on August 11, 2025. Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock At least one bright planet can be spotted on most nights, weather permitting, according to NASA. Six planets were visible in January skies, and every planet of our solar system was visible in February, but not all could be spotted with the naked eye. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and a faint Mercury are visible this month without any special equipment, and the best chances to spot them are over the next week. Uranus and Neptune can only be glimpsed through binoculars and telescopes. Jupiter and Venus made a close brush earlier this week and are still near each other in the eastern sky, 'close together like cat's eyes,' said Carolyn Sumners at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Mercury will be at its farthest point from the sun on Tuesday morning, making it easier to spot before it disappears into the sun's glare. 4 Saturn will be visible this month without any special equipment, and the best chances to spot it are over the next week. NASA, ESA, J. Clarke and Z. Levay 4 Mercury will be at its farthest point from the sun on Tuesday morning, making it easier to spot before it disappears into the sun's glare. marcel – To catch the planets, go out in the morning shortly before sunrise and look east. Try to find Jupiter and Venus clustered together first. Saturn is off to the side, and Mercury will be close to the horizon, trying to rise before the sun. 4 Uranus and Neptune can only be seen with binoculars and telescopes. AP 'You're looking for little tiny pinpoints of light, but they are the brightest ones,' said Justin Bartel with the Science Museum of Virginia. 'They don't really twinkle like the stars do.' Before heading out, make sure it is a clear, cloudless morning and try to get away from tall buildings that could block the view. Mercury will hide behind the sun again toward the end of the month, but a crescent moon will then join the parade. The next big planetary hangout is in February.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Six Planets Line Up in Parade: Where and When to See Rare Spectacle
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sky-gazers are in for a treat this month as six planets are set to align in a dazzling early morning display known as a "planetary parade"—the last such spectacle of this year. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are all making their appearance in the eastern sky just before sunrise, offering a unique opportunity to witness this celestial phenomenon. Planetary parades of smaller number are fairly common. This month's alignment is particularly striking, however, because four planets will be visible to the naked eye and two via binoculars or telescopes. The best view window is over the next week, just before dawn. Observers should look toward east, ideally from a location with a clear horizon and minimal light pollution. A stock image shows multiple planets aligned in the sky. A stock image shows multiple planets aligned in the sky. getty images "You're looking for little tiny pinpoints of light, but they are the brightest ones. They don't really twinkle like the stars do," Justin Bartel from the Science Museum of Virginia told the Associate Press. Jupiter and Saturn will appear close together in the sky, in what Carolyn Sumners of the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences describes as "cat's eyes." Saturn will be slightly apart, while a faint Mercury will be visible near the horizon. Mercury will be best seen on Tuesday morning, before it disappears into the sun's glare. It will also be hidden by the sun at the end of the month, when a crescent moon will then join the parade instead. Uranus and Neptune will require optical aids to be seen—and then only under optimal weather and cloudless conditions. Venus will shine brightly in the eastern morning sky, 20–30° above the horizon. Saturn will become visible late at night, appearing high in the southern sky by dawn. According to NASA, while at least one bright planet can be seen most nights, these alignments of multiple planets are less frequent. Six planets were visible earlier in January of this year, and seven in February, though some needed equipment to be seen. Also, throughout the month of August, the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is well-placed for viewing, appearing high overhead within the Summer Triangle during the first half of the night, according to NASA. Best conditions for sky watching are typically found away from populated centers, but altitude, direction and local geography also play key roles. Higher places offer clearer skies by avoiding low-altitude haze and pollution. While remote locations also help, you don't need to be far from highways—just away from bright local lights. Light pollution varies by direction, so even near cities, looking away can offer darker skies. Locations like mountain campgrounds can offer excellent views toward darker horizons. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about planets? Let us know via science@
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Six planets are hanging out in early morning skies this month. Here's how to spot them
Published Aug 14, 2025 • 1 minute read A girl looks through a telescope in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sunday, May 15, 2022. Photo by Matias Delacroix / AP NEW YORK (AP) — Six planets are hanging out in the sky this month in what's known as a planetary parade. Catch the spectacle while you can because it's the last one of the year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account These linkups happen when several planets appear to line up in the night sky at once. Such parades are fairly common, happening around every year depending on the number of planets. At least one bright planet can be spotted on most nights, weather permitting, according to NASA. Six planets were visible in January skies and every planet of our solar system was visible in February, but not all could be spotted with the naked eye. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and a faint Mercury are visible this month without any special equipment, and the best chances to spot them are over the next week. Uranus and Neptune can only be glimpsed through binoculars and telescopes. Jupiter and Venus made a close brush earlier this week and are still near each other in the eastern sky, 'close together like cat's eyes,' said Carolyn Sumners at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Mercury will be at its farthest point from the sun on Tuesday morning, making it easier to spot before it disappears into the sun's glare. To catch the planets, go out in the morning shortly before sunrise and look east. Try to find Jupiter and Venus clustered together first. Saturn is off to the side and Mercury will be close to the horizon, trying to rise before the sun. 'You're looking for little tiny pinpoints of light, but they are the brightest ones,' said Justin Bartel with the Science Museum of Virginia. 'They don't really twinkle like the stars do.' Before heading out, make sure it is a clear, cloudless morning and try to get away from tall buildings that could block the view. Mercury will hide behind the sun again toward the end of the month, but a crescent moon will then join the parade. The next big planetary hangout is in February. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls World Columnists Toronto & GTA
5 days ago
- Science
Six planets are hanging out in early morning skies this month. Here's how to spot them
NEW YORK -- Six planets are hanging out in the sky this month in what's known as a planetary parade. Catch the spectacle while you can because it's the last one of the year. These linkups happen when several planets appear to line up in the night sky at once. Such parades are fairly common, happening around every year depending on the number of planets. At least one bright planet can be spotted on most nights, weather permitting, according to NASA. Six planets were visible in January skies and every planet of our solar system was visible in February, but not all could be spotted with the naked eye. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and a faint Mercury are visible this month without any special equipment, and the best chances to spot them are over the next week. Uranus and Neptune can only be glimpsed through binoculars and telescopes. Jupiter and Venus made a close brush earlier this week and are still near each other in the eastern sky, 'close together like cat's eyes,' said Carolyn Sumners at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Mercury will be at its farthest point from the sun on Tuesday morning, making it easier to spot before it disappears into the sun's glare. To catch the planets, go out in the morning shortly before sunrise and look east. Try to find Jupiter and Venus clustered together first. Saturn is off to the side and Mercury will be close to the horizon, trying to rise before the sun. 'You're looking for little tiny pinpoints of light, but they are the brightest ones,' said Justin Bartel with the Science Museum of Virginia. 'They don't really twinkle like the stars do.' Before heading out, make sure it is a clear, cloudless morning and try to get away from tall buildings that could block the view. Mercury will hide behind the sun again toward the end of the month, but a crescent moon will then join the parade. The next big planetary hangout is in February. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
