5 planets take centre stage as they align in the night sky
On June 24, a rare five-planet alignment will reach its peak, allowing for spectacular views of Mercury, Venus Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and their alignment in planetary order.
The event began at the beginning of June and has continued to get brighter and easier to see as the month has progressed, according to Diana Hannikainen, observing editor of Sky & Telescope.
A waning crescent Moon will join the party between Venus, Mars, and Earth on Friday, adding another celestial object. The relative position of the Earth’s moon in the alignment will be represented by the moon. This will determine where our planet will appear within the planetary order.
This rare phenomenon has not occurred since December 2004, and this year, the distance between Mercury and Saturn will be smaller, according to Sky & Telescope.
HOW TO VIEW THE ALIGNMENT
Stargazers must have a clear view to the eastern horizon in order to spot Hannikainen, an amazing phenomenon. said. She said that while humans can see the planetary show with their naked eyes, binoculars are recommended to get the best viewing experience.
The best time to see the five planets is one hour before sunrise. said. Before you plan to view the alignment, make sure to check when the sun rises in your area.
Hannikainen, one of the most enthusiastic stargazers, is particularly excited about the celestial events. She flew from her home in Boston to a coastal town on the Atlantic Ocean to get a great view of the alignment.
Hannikainen: “I’ll be there with my binoculars looking towards the east, southeast and crossing my fingers and toes it is going to clear.” said.
You don’t have a right to travelTo catch a glimpse, it will be available to everyone around the globe.
Stargazers in Northern Hemisphere may see the planets from the eastern-southeastern horizon, while those in Southern Hemisphere must view the eastern-to-northern horizon. Clear skies in the direction of the alignment are the only requirements.
The moon will continue its orbit around Earth the next day, moving it out-of-alignment with the planets. said.
If you miss the five-planet alignment in sequential order, the next one will happen in 2040, according to Sky & Telescope.
According to The Old Farmers’ Almanac, there will be seven more full Moons in 2022.
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June 14: Strawberry moon -
July 13: Buck Moon -
August 11: Sturgeon moon -
Sept. 10: Harvest moon -
Oct. 9 – Hunter’s moon -
Nov. 8: Beaver moon -
Dec. 7 – Cold moon
These are the names that are most commonly associated with the full moons of the month. However, the meanings of each one can vary between Native American tribes.
LUNAR AND SOLAR ELECIPSES
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, there will be a second total lunar eclipse and a third partial solar eclipse in 2022.
Partial solar eclipses are when the moon passes in front the sun but blocks some of its light. To safely view solar eclipses, make sure you have proper eclipse glasses. The sun’s light can cause damage to the eyes.
On Oct. 25, a partial eclipse of the sun will be visible to people in Greenland (Island), Europe, northwestern Africa, India, Europe, and western Asia. North America will not be able to see the partial solar eclipses.
A total lunar eclipse is also available for those in Asia and the Pacific, South America, South America and North America on November 8th between 3:01 a.m. ET and 8:58 AM. ET — The moon will set for those in eastern North America.
METEOR SHOWERS
The remaining 11 showers will peak in 2022.
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Southern delta Aquariids: June 29-30 -
Alpha Capricornids: July 30-31 -
Perseids: Aug. 11-12 -
Orionids: Oct. 20-21 -
Southern Taurids – Nov. -
Northern Taurids: November 11-12 -
Leonids: Nov. 17-18 -
Geminids: Dec. 13-14 -
Ursids: Dec. 21-22
You may want to avoid driving to urban areas if you want to enjoy the best views.
You will need to find an area that has a great view of the sky. You will need a blanket or chair to allow you to look straight up. Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness.
Source: CTV
