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.”
You can also visit Starwalk’s site for astronomical information and planet viewing tips.
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