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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@
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.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Science
- San Francisco Chronicle
Six planets are hanging out in early morning skies this month. Here's how to spot them
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. 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Science
- Winnipeg Free Press
Six planets are hanging out in early morning skies this month. Here's how to spot them
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. 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.
