Skywatchers have plenty of treats in store this year. The aurora borealis was first distributed by a solar storm and an unusual solar eclipse.
The planets align in a “planetary parade,” another cosmic spectacle. Several planets will be visible in the night sky from June.
The Planet Parade of 2024
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Uranus align on June 3rd and 4th. This is a major planetary arrangement involving five or six planets. (Three are part of a small planetary arrangement.)
However, you won’t see them all. Preston Dyches of NASA’s “Skywatching Tips” video series says that one or both planets may be visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars required
In an email to Phys.org, Dyches said, “Contrary to many reports and social media posts, no chain of planets will be visible to the naked eye on June 3.” At dawn, Mercury and Jupiter will be too low in the sky. Even under perfect circumstances (a clear, dark sky with no light pollution), Uranus is extremely faint and difficult to see. Things get worse in the dawn sky.” Neptune, meanwhile, can only be seen through binoculars because it’s six times fainter than Uranus. The only person who won’t be there is Venus.
Read more: Here’s how NASA will alert the world if a ‘planet-killing’ asteroid hits Earth.
A show of the entire planet
But that is only a lifting curtain. On June 29, around the early morning hours, people will be able to see Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon in what is known as the True Planetary Show.
In Southern California, for example, it should occur at five or six in the morning, according to Paul Robertson, associate professor of physics and astronomy at UC Irvine. “If you went out that morning,” he continues, “you could actually see all four objects at the same time, and that’s not really the same thing for the June 3rd thing.”
Remember that although the planets appear to line up in perfect configuration in diagrams and representations, in reality, there are no such lines.
Other future celestial events
There is much more to come for Skywatchers. A huge alignment of six planets will be visible before sunrise on January 18, 2025, and August 28, 2024. In addition, all seven other planets in our solar system will be visible in the sky at the same time on the evening of February 28, 2025.
Experts also predict that the Nova will erupt by September. For a week, the flash will appear as bright as the North Star and will be visible in the constellation Corona Borealis.
When a red giant star and a white dwarf star orbit each other, the white dwarf steals stellar material from the red giant, resulting in a flash of nuclear fusion that causes a nova explosion. Robertson speculates that the nova explosion could provide “a once-in-a-lifetime stargazing opportunity.”
Tips for observing the sky
Depending on your location, you may be able to see the June 3 planetary show at different times. Websites like Time and Date and Stellarium provide information about planetary positions, sunrise and sunset times, and locations in the sky based on your location. Don’t forget to observe the sky in a place with the least light pollution.
“I think people may have been a little more interested in watching the sky since the great eclipse,” Robertson said. “People fly for it, I know. It changes your perspective.”
Continue reading: Could this planet replace Mars after NASA finds it?
Link
In June, the “planetary parade” will begin. Phys.org. Summer Lin. “A spectacular, rare arrangement of 6 planets is about to take place in the sky.” 23 May 2024. Alert Science. Mechelle Starr May 24, 2024 “What is the planetary alignment of 2024? When is the next planetary alignment? Star Walk, April 25, 2024
The upcoming planetarium show in June 2024 promises to be an exciting event for sky enthusiasts. While the alignment of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune on June 3 and 4 will be a remarkable celestial phenomenon, most of these planets will require binoculars to view. The best chance to observe a more accessible alignment will be on June 29, when Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon will be visible together in the morning sky.
For those eager to catch a glimpse of these celestial phenomena, the use of tools such as Time and Date and Stellarium will be essential to accurately display times and locations. Choosing a dark, unobstructed location will enhance the experience and allow for the best visibility.
Looking ahead, skywatchers can look forward to more spectacular events, including another alignment of six planets and a potential nova eruption that may offer a unique opportunity for stargazing. With these exciting cosmic events on the horizon, there will be plenty of inspiration and engagement for both amateur and experienced astronomers.