Revised:
Prepare for a celestial spectacle this weekend as five planets align in the early morning sky before sunrise on Saturday.
Provided the weather is favorable, you can witness the magnificent lineup of Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, Uranus, and Mercury. To observe this planet parade, here’s what you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I OBSERVE THEM?
For optimal visibility, find a location with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the horizon.
Mercury will emerge last, approximately an hour before sunrise. If you venture outdoors at that time, you’ll be treated to the sight of all five planets spanning the sky — from Mercury near the horizon to Saturn positioned higher up — until the sun begins to rise.
DO I REQUIRE BINOCULARS OR A TELESCOPE?
Spotting some planets will be easier than others.
Jupiter and Saturn will shine brightly and should be relatively easy to spot with the naked eye. Although Mercury will be slightly dimmer, it may still be visible without any visual aids. However, to catch a glimpse of Neptune and Uranus, a pair of binoculars or a telescope would likely be necessary.
The occurrence of a five-planet lineup, like the one happening this weekend, is not an everyday event but it is not exceedingly rare either. Another five-planet alignment took place in March, although with a slightly different combination of planets. Additionally, a three-planet alignment is expected to happen in July. These alignments occur when the planets’ orbits position them on one side of the sun from the perspective of Earth.
Please note that the information provided is based on general knowledge and there may be additional factors that can affect the frequency of planet alignments.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP holds sole responsibility for all content produced.
