This Friday, people around the world will have the chance to see a planetary alignment (or “planetary parade”) shining in the night sky. According to Star Walk, this type of alignment won’t happen again for another decade.
With the right tools, sky gazers will be able to see Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars. However, NASA explained that only Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are visible to the naked eye. To see the rest, a telescope will come in handy.
During the planet parade this week (not an official term, according to NASA) Mars will be the highest in the sky, above the southern horizon in the constellation Gemini, said Star Walk. Jupiter will be a little lower, in the constellation Taurus and Uranus, in the constellation Aries, near the border of Taurus.
Though Uranus might be possible to see with the naked eye, that only occurs under very specific conditions. Star Walk recommends using binoculars to see it. This planetary alignment comes at the same time as the New Moon, making it easier to see fainter objects like Uranus and Neptune.
Venus, the brightest planet in the sky, should be visible closer to the horizon in the Pisces constellation. Neptune the faintest planet will also be in Pisces. Star Walk said binoculars or a telescope will be necessary to catch a glimpse of Neptune.
Mercury, which Star Walk said can be elusive, will be in the constellation Aquarius, close to the sun. Meanwhile, Saturn “the most difficult planet to see in this alignment,” according to Star Walk, since it is close to the Sun.
Why will the planets be lined up in the sky? Well, NASA explained that “planets always appear along a line or arc across the sky,” because of the way the planets orbit our sun. While alignment alone isn’t particularly special, NASA said the type of alignment happening this month is special because it is an “opportunity to observe multiple planets simultaneously with the naked eye.”
Gerard van Belle, director of science at Lowell Observatory in Arizona, said it “makes for a very nice excuse to go outside at night, maybe with a glass of wine, and enjoy the night sky,” according to The New York Times.
While the best overall day to see the planet parade is Friday, certain areas might have a better chance at seeing it in the days surrounding that day. Star Walk has a guide for the best days in different time zones.
“Looking ahead, a similar alignment will occur in late October 2028, though that event will take place before sunrise, requiring early risers to catch the view,” said Space.com.