What a year it’s already been for celestial sightings. Now we're in for another cosmic treat.
There's been a total solar eclipse and stunning aurora borealis displays in unexpected places, and now we’re just 48 hours away from another rare spectacle: a “planet parade.”
On 3 June, Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn (in that order) will line up in the sky. For those interested in catching the show, the planet parade will stretch in a roughly straight line from the low eastern horizon - Jupiter closest to the horizon - with observers needing to look toward the eastern horizon about 20 minutes before sunrise to catch this astronomical spectacle.
Planetary alignments, where multiple planets appear close together in the sky from our perspective on Earth, are intriguing and relatively rare astronomical events. Two-planet alignments, known as conjunctions, are fairly common and can happen several times a year. Those involving four or more planets are significantly rarer, and the specific alignment of six planets, occurs only a few times in a decade.
For those keen on observing this event, it is essential to have a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon around 20 minutes before sunrise. Locations with minimal light pollution, such as rural areas or designated dark-sky sites, will provide the best viewing experience. Using binoculars or a telescope will enhance the viewing of the fainter planets that can't be spotted with the naked eye.
However, if you sleep through your alarm on 3 June, the planetary parade will likely still be visible for a few more days.
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