An incredible planetary alignment will take place in the early hours of August 28, ideal for astronomy fans to enjoy this phenomenon that will not occur for the next 10 years. This celestial event will be made up of six planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune, and can be observed with the naked eye.
What is a planetary alignment?
A planetary alignment is a phenomenon in which several planets are grouped on one side of the Sun, creating a configuration visible from Earth. Although this type of event is rare, it offers a spectacular spectacle that is often referred to as a “planetary parade,” although this term is not official.
There are different types of alignments depending on the number of participating stars:
- Mini planetary alignment: 3 planets.
- Small planetary alignment: 4 planets.
- Large planetary alignment: 5 or 6 planets.
- Great planetary alignment complete: All the planets in the Solar System (sometimes including Pluto).
Which planets will be visible?
During the early morning of August 28, six planets will be visible: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune. Although some of these planets are easily visible to the naked eye, observing Mercury can be a challenge due to its proximity to the horizon during sunrise, Meteored reported.
How to observe the planetary alignment?
- Saturn: Visible from the evening of August 27 in the constellation of Aquarius.
- Neptune: Located in the constellation of Pisces, it requires binoculars or a telescope.
- Uranus: It will appear later in the evening in the constellation of Taurus.
- Jupiter and Mars: Also visible in Taurus, with magnitudes of -2.3 and 0.8, respectively.
- Mercury: Visible at dawn in the constellation Leo, though only briefly before the Sun rises. This type of planetary alignment is a rare phenomenon that will not be repeated in the next 10 years, making it an unmissable opportunity for skywatchers.
To maximize your experience observing this rare astronomical event, it is advisable to use mobile applications specialized in locating celestial bodies. Sky Tonight and Stellarium are two popular tools that will allow you to easily identify the position of each planet in the sky. These platforms offer real-time star maps, making it easy to accurately locate the planet, even in poor visibility conditions.
