A celestial phenomenon has formed in the Northern Hemisphere on Friday as seven planets are expected to line up in the night sky. Most are expected to be visible to the naked eye, but not all seven.
This alignment is known as the Planet Parade, a lineup of planets in the universe from the Earth’s perspective. Alignment occurs over time as each planet in the solar system orbits the Sun at its own speed and distance, and continuously changes its relative position. According to NASA, all planets arc along the same plane known as the zodiac plane, or across the sky if you are looking at edge-on.
NASA recommends observing the planetary parade right after sunset. Knowledge of the far-handed cope and the location of the planets within it is ideal for enjoying the heavenly lineup.
The alignment, which can be found about 10 degrees above the horizon, will be seen for a while shortly after sunset on Friday.
Ed Krupp, director of Griffith Observatory, says Skywatchers may have a hard time finding the entire parade.
“Planets are always on the same path, and sometimes some of them, some more, appear in the night sky,” Krupp said. “But the general message is, “I’ll go outside and see these planets strung like pearls across the sky.” it’s not. ”
Krupp pointed out that some planets need telescopes because they are under detectability in the human eye. And he said people shouldn’t expect the heavenly show to rule their views, especially because of the air and light pollution in Los Angeles.
Lisa Will, a professor of astronomy at San Diego Community College, said some planets, including Mars, Jupiter and Venus, appear brighter. And while the planets may appear close to each other, as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory pointed out, they are hundreds of millions of miles apart.
Due to the Earth’s atmosphere, celestial objects appear dim as they rise and set, making it difficult to see brighter planets until they move higher on the horizon. Buildings and trees can also interfere with views near the horizon.
Dark, dim sky is the ideal environment, often far from the lights of the deserts and city.
According to NASA, about five planets may be visible without a telescope: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. However, Krupp is the most difficult to see with sincerity, especially if the viewer doesn’t know the path around the night sky, as mercury is the smallest orbit and closest to the sun.
“If you want to see mercury, you might be lucky with Twilight in the evenings, during the sunset, but only if you know where to look,” Krupp said. “Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are all located in the sky between the horizon in the west and a little overhead in the east.”
Uranus is at the human vision threshold, Will said. Uranus and Neptune are difficult to find without a telescope, as both planets orbit blue in the dimly lit suburbs of the solar system. Krupp said even experienced amateur astronomers with telescopes struggle to detect Uranus and Neptune.
“Sometimes it’s a guide that everyone needs. Here at the station we have instructors and we publish our telescopes to the public every night,” Krupp said. “But I’m worried that people will be disappointed. You want people to have a direct experience of those photons from knowing what they are seeing through those objects.”
The next planetary parade will be visible in late August, when four planets are expected to be visible at once before sunrise. The next two parades will take place in October 2028 and February 2034.
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