Latest news with #ShyamBalaji
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Science
- Wales Online
Mini planetary parade to light up skies tomorrow - everything you need to know
Mini planetary parade to light up skies tomorrow - everything you need to know A mini planetary parade will see Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune and Saturn align above the horizon May 23 marks the moment that six planets will appear aligned (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF ) Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a celestial treat at dawn tomorrow, as a stunning mini planetary parade is set to grace our skies. The early hours of the morning will witness Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune and Saturn aligning just above the horizon. The prospects of catching Uranus with the naked eye might be slim, but it's anticipated that avid sky-gazers across Britain could capture glances of other planets, with some spotted even without the need for binoculars. Shedding light on this space show, Dr Shyam Balaji, an astroparticle physics and cosmology expert at King's College London, told the Mirror: "The planets will appear clustered along the ecliptic - the Sun's path across the sky. "Though they won't form a straight line, they'll span a patch of sky roughly 70° wide, a striking sight with binoculars or even your naked eye - except for faint Uranus." Planetary parades take place when major planets in the solar system appear aligned from our viewpoint on Earth. Normally, the planets follow their orbits around the sun within roughly the same ecliptic plane, yet instances when many can be seen at the same time are rare occurrences. The upcoming spectacle (May 23) places all six planets above the horizon simultaneously, shortly before daybreak near 4 am. Nonetheless, according to Dr Balaji, the prime period for observation will likely extend from May 29 to June 2, when some planets will sit higher in the sky. "The best chance to catch the parade is just before sunrise, during the early hours around 3.30 to 4.30 am BST, with the optimal window falling on Thursday, May 29, to Monday, June 2," he said. Article continues below "Saturn and Mars will be the easiest to spot higher up in the southeastern sky, while Jupiter and Mercury will be low on the horizon, requiring a clear, unobstructed view to the east. "Uranus may be too faint for the naked eye, but it's worth scanning the area with binoculars or a telescope if you have one. May 23 marks a moment when six planets (Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, Saturn) are technically all above the horizon at the same time just before dawn. "However, Neptune and Uranus will not be visible without a telescope, Mercury will be extremely low and faint, the planets will also be widely spaced and not visually 'lined up'. Hence, it's not really a six-planet parade, most people will only be able to see three to four at best." Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that stargazing is largely affected by weather and light pollution. As a result, Brits should check forecasts in advance and aim to sit in a location with an unobstructed view of the horizon, away from glaring city lights. Where should I look? Stargazers can benefit from apps like Stellarium or SkySafari for tailored tips based on their location. However, as a general guideline, Dr. Balaji shared the following recommendations: The simplest way to differentiate between planets and stars is by observing their light. If it twinkles, it's likely a star, while planets generally emit a continued brightness, often in a slightly different shade. Article continues below Dr Balaji added: "Find a clear eastern horizon (hilltops or open fields are ideal). Use apps like Stellarium or SkySafari to locate planets in real time. Check the weather and try multiple mornings if needed. Arrive early to let your eyes adjust to the dark." You can also visit Starwalk's site for astronomical information and planet viewing tips. Have you got a story to share? Get in touch at
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
Exact time Brits could see 'mini planet parade' in skies
Dr Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London, delved into the upcoming planetary parade Stargazers are in for a treat as a mini planetary parade is set to occur tomorrow. The celestial spectacle will see Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune and Saturn align above the horizon in the early hours of the morning. While it's unlikely Uranus will be visible to the naked eye, it's thought that many Brits can get a good view of several other planets both with and without binoculars. Dr Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London, told the Mirror: "The planets will appear clustered along the ecliptic - the Sun's path across the sky. "Though they won't form a straight line, they'll span a patch of sky roughly 70° wide, a striking sight with binoculars or even your naked eye - except for faint Uranus." Planetary parades, or alignments, take place when major planets in the solar system appear aligned from our viewpoint on Earth. While planets are continuously 'aligned' as they orbit the solar system along roughly the same ecliptic plane, spotting multiple in the sky at once is quite uncommon. Tomorrow (May 23) will see the six planets above the horizon at the same time, just before dawn at around 4am. However, Dr Balaji said the optimum viewing window will probably fall between May 29 and June 2, as some planets may appear higher in the sky. "The best chance to catch the parade is just before sunrise, during the early hours around 3.30 to 4.30 am BST, with the optimal window falling on Thursday, May 29, to Monday, June 2," he said. "Saturn and Mars will be the easiest to spot higher up in the southeastern sky, while Jupiter and Mercury will be low on the horizon, requiring a clear, unobstructed view to the east. "Uranus may be too faint for the naked eye, but it's worth scanning the area with binoculars or a telescope if you have one. May 23 marks a moment when six planets (Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, Saturn) are technically all above the horizon at the same time just before dawn. "However, Neptune and Uranus will not be visible without a telescope, Mercury will be extremely low and faint, the planets will also be widely spaced and not visually 'lined up'. Hence, it's not really a six-planet parade, most people will only be able to see three to four at best." Despite this, it is essential to consider that stargazing is largely affected by the weather and light pollution. Therefore, Brits should check forecasts in advance and aim to sit in a location with an unobstructed view of the horizon, away from glaring city lights. Where to look Stargazers should use apps like Stellarium or SkySafari for more location-specific tips. Though, as a general rule of thumb, Dr Balaji outlined the following advice: Saturn and Mars: Highest and easiest to spot in the southeast Jupiter and Mercury: Low on the eastern horizon Uranus: Requires binoculars/telescopes, scan near Jupiter The simplest way to differentiate between planets and stars is by observing their light. If it twinkles, it's likely a star, while planets generally emit a continued brightness, often in a slightly different shade. Dr Balaji added: "Find a clear eastern horizon (hilltops or open fields are ideal). Use apps like Stellarium or SkySafari to locate planets in real time. Check the weather and try multiple mornings if needed. Arrive early to let your eyes adjust to the dark."
Powys County Times
24-04-2025
- Science
- Powys County Times
Last chance to see historical Lyrids meteor shower in UK
Brits have one final chance to see a special meteor shower that forms 'glowing trails' in the sky this week. This year, the Lyrid meteor shower, said to be the oldest recorded in history, has been active since April 12 and peaked on the night of April 22. However, the celestial event which has been around since the seventh century BC is ending soon, with April 25 being the last time it will appear in the sky until 2026. So, what exactly is the Lyrid meteor shower, and when is the best time to see it in its final hours? Tips for Night Sky Photos on Your Phone What is the Lyrid meteor shower? The Lyrids are created by debris from Comet Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. Royal Museums Greenwhich shared: "The Lyrid meteor shower is associated with long-period Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. It is the oldest recorded meteor shower still visible today, and was first recorded in 687 BCE. "While the Lyrid meteors will be visible all across the sky, following their path backwards they will appear to originate from the constellation of Lyra, the lyre, which contains the star Vega. "In reality the meteors have nothing to do with this distant group of stars. The direction they appear to come from is dictated by the motion of the Earth and the debris itself." It added: "All of the meteors are coming in approximately parallel to one another, like lanes of traffic on a straight motorway. "Our perspective makes them appear to travel sideways across the sky. "Just as a person standing on the central reservation of the motorway will have cars pass on either side of them, the meteors will appear to diverge from the so-called radiant point in Lyra and streak across the sky in all directions. "Very rarely a meteor will be particularly bright, with those appearing brighter than any of the planets (Venus being typically the brightest) classed as a fireball." Must-See Sky Events in 2025 Meanwhile, Dr Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London, told The Telegraph: 'As these comet particles burn up in our atmosphere, they produce bright streaks of light, what we see as meteors.' When can you see the Lyrid meteor shower? Best time Dr Balaji added: 'They are visible from most of the world, but they are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere. 'Southern Hemisphere viewers can still catch some meteors, though the visibility there is less. 'While they're usually modest – about 10–20 meteors per hour at the peak – they occasionally produce meteor outbursts, with up to 100 meteors per hour. Lyrid meteors are known for being bright and fast, often leaving glowing trails in the sky that linger for a few seconds.' If you've never seen a meteor in real life, tomorrow night might be your chance! 🌠 Tomorrow, the Lyrid meteor shower will reach its peak with 18 meteors expected to be visible per hour! Let's look at what a meteor shower is. We'll even share our tips on how to catch the best… — Natural History Museum (@NHM_London) April 21, 2025 Experts suggest looking for the Lyrid meteor shower in the early hours of the morning on Friday. Recommended reading: Dr Sam Rolfe, an astronomer at the University of Hertfordshire explained: 'Meteor showers typically have the highest rates in the early hours of the morning but can be seen any time the sky is dark. 'Dark sky locations around the UK would provide the best skies but a garden or local park is also fine. The Moon doesn't rise until around 3am, so the naturally dark skies will make for good meteor shower viewing.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Lyrid meteor shower to light up night skies over UK
The Lyrid meteor shower is predicted to peak on Tuesday night, with streaks of light dotting the night sky. The annual celestial event has been observed since the seventh century BC, making it the oldest recorded meteor shower in history. A meteor shower – otherwise known as shooting stars – occurs when asteroids or comets enter Earth's atmosphere at very high speeds and burn up. 'As comets orbit the Sun, the heat and radiation pressure evaporates material from the icy cometary nucleus, which we see as a comet's tail,' said Prof Don Pollacco, of the University of Warwick. 'The gas and dust created stay in the comet's orbit even long after the comet has moved on. If the Earth passes through the comet's orbit, any material deposited by the comet could become meteors or shooting stars in the sky. 'These bodies are usually the size of dust particles but when they fall into the Earth's atmosphere they are travelling so fast that they are vaporised. Along the path that the dust particle travels, the gas molecules are superheated and give out light – this is a meteor.' The Lyrids are created by debris from Comet Thatcher, which orbits the Sun and was discovered in 1861. 'The Lyrids are caused by Earth passing through the dusty trail left by Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, a long-period comet that orbits the Sun roughly every 415 years,' said Dr Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London. 'As these comet particles burn up in our atmosphere, they produce bright streaks of light, what we see as meteors.' The Lyrids will be visible throughout Britain. 'The Lyrids are visible from most of the world but they are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere,' said Dr Balaji. 'Southern Hemisphere viewers can still catch some meteors, though the visibility there is less. 'While they're usually modest – about 10–20 meteors per hour at the peak – they occasionally produce meteor outbursts, with up to 100 meteors per hour. 'Lyrid meteors are known for being bright and fast, often leaving glowing trails in the sky that linger for a few seconds.' Experts recommend looking for the meteor shower in the early hours of the morning. 'Meteor showers typically have the highest rates in the early hours of the morning but can be seen any time the sky is dark,' said Dr Sam Rolfe, an astronomer at the University of Hertfordshire. 'Dark sky locations around the UK would provide the best skies but a garden or local park is also fine. The Moon doesn't rise until around 3am, so the naturally dark skies will make for good meteor shower viewing. 'At the height of the shower, observers can expect to see up to 18 meteors per hour but this is dependent on the density of the debris cloud and the artificial light pollution levels at the site of observation as fainter meteors are less likely to be spotted in areas with artificial light pollution.' No specialist equipment is required to view the Lyrids, according to Dr Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society. 'The good thing about a meteor shower – and the Lyrids are no exception – is that you don't need any special equipment,' he said. 'The best equipment is just your eyes, looking up at the sky. Now in this particularly case, the radiant – the point of the sky they appear to come from – is in the constellation of Lyra, near the bright star Vega, part of the Summer Triangle.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Science
- Telegraph
Lyrid meteor shower to light up night skies over UK
The Lyrid meteor shower is predicted to peak on Tuesday night, with streaks of light dotting the night sky. The annual celestial event has been observed since the seventh century BC, making it the oldest recorded meteor shower in history. What is a meteor shower? A meteor shower – otherwise known as shooting stars – occurs when asteroids or comets enter Earth's atmosphere at very high speeds and burn up. 'As comets orbit the Sun, the heat and radiation pressure evaporates material from the icy cometary nucleus, which we see as a comet's tail,' said Prof Don Pollacco, of the University of Warwick. 'The gas and dust created stay in the comet's orbit even long after the comet has moved on. If the Earth passes through the comet's orbit, any material deposited by the comet could become meteors or shooting stars in the sky. 'These bodies are usually the size of dust particles but when they fall into the Earth's atmosphere they are travelling so fast that they are vaporised. Along the path that the dust particle travels, the gas molecules are superheated and give out light – this is a meteor.' What are the Lyrids? The Lyrids are created by debris from Comet Thatcher, which orbits the Sun and was discovered in 1861. 'The Lyrids are caused by Earth passing through the dusty trail left by Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, a long-period comet that orbits the Sun roughly every 415 years,' said Dr Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London. 'As these comet particles burn up in our atmosphere, they produce bright streaks of light, what we see as meteors.' Where will the meteor shower be visible? The Lyrids will be visible throughout Britain. 'The Lyrids are visible from most of the world but they are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere,' said Dr Balaji. 'Southern Hemisphere viewers can still catch some meteors, though the visibility there is less. 'While they're usually modest – about 10–20 meteors per hour at the peak – they occasionally produce meteor outbursts, with up to 100 meteors per hour. 'Lyrid meteors are known for being bright and fast, often leaving glowing trails in the sky that linger for a few seconds.' What time should I look? Experts recommend looking for the meteor shower in the early hours of the morning. 'Meteor showers typically have the highest rates in the early hours of the morning but can be seen any time the sky is dark,' said Dr Sam Rolfe, an astronomer at the University of Hertfordshire. 'Dark sky locations around the UK would provide the best skies but a garden or local park is also fine. The Moon doesn't rise until around 3am, so the naturally dark skies will make for good meteor shower viewing. 'At the height of the shower, observers can expect to see up to 18 meteors per hour but this is dependent on the density of the debris cloud and the artificial light pollution levels at the site of observation as fainter meteors are less likely to be spotted in areas with artificial light pollution.' Do I need any equipment? No specialist equipment is required to view the Lyrids, according to Dr Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society. 'The good thing about a meteor shower – and the Lyrids are no exception – is that you don't need any special equipment,' he said. 'The best equipment is just your eyes, looking up at the sky. Now in this particularly case, the radiant – the point of the sky they appear to come from – is in the constellation of Lyra, near the bright star Vega, part of the Summer Triangle.'
