Special Astronomical Event Provides View of Planets
A rare celestial occurrence this week gives us a remarkable opportunity to witness all seven other planets in our solar system simultaneously illuminating the night sky. “What a fantastic chance to step outside, bond with your loved ones, immerse yourself in nature, and gaze up at the cosmos,” shared astronomer Stephan Martin in a recent interview. Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn may be visible to the naked eye, with Mercury being the most challenging to spot. To catch a glimpse of Uranus and Neptune, you’ll need binoculars or a telescope. “Observers will observe all the planets aligning almost like a string of pearls across the heavens,” Martin explained. “They will appear to form a straight line due to their alignment along the ecliptic, the plane on which the planets, sun, and moon move as our solar system orbits the sun, creating a visible line in the sky.”
This planetary parade is set to peak on Friday night, with prime viewing time around sunset or shortly after 6 p.m. EST. Look toward the western horizon, as those with a clear view low on the horizon will have the best opportunity to spot multiple planets. Weather conditions will play a crucial role in visibility, as noted by weather.com’s digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles. The Northeast and parts of the Southwest are expected to face challenges due to cloud cover. In the Northeast, a fast-moving clipper system will sweep from the Great Lakes into the Interior Northeast, potentially causing cloudiness in the upper Midwest and Northern Plains. Meanwhile, a low-pressure system and accompanying jet stream may bring clouds over the Southwest, extending possibly to Texas and Florida. However, the forecast for this system remains uncertain at this point, with variations in model predictions regarding its exact path.
Caroline Aylward, a weather.com producer and editor, conducted the interview with Stephan Martin. Jan Childs, a senior writer at weather.com, covers a wide range of topics related to weather, space, climate change, the environment, and more.
