Grab your binoculars and keep an eye to the sky this week for a chance to see a remarkable planetary hangout.
Two of the brighter planets – Mercury and Jupiter – will be noticeable near the horizon, while Venus is expected to shine higher in the sky.
WHERE AND WHEN CAN YOU SEE THEM?
The best day to catch the whole group is Tuesday evening, on March 28.
But the arrangement is likely to be visible on days either side of Tuesday too.
You’ll want to look to the western horizon right after sunset on Tuesday, NASA astronomer Bill Cooke said.
The planets will stretch from the horizon line to around halfway up the night sky.
But don’t be late: Mercury and Jupiter will quickly dip below the horizon around half an hour after sunset.
The five-planet spread can be seen from anywhere on Earth, as long as you have clear skies and a view of the west.
“That’s the beauty of these planetary alignments. It doesn’t take much,” Cooke said.
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DO I NEED BINOCULARS?
Maybe.
Jupiter, Venus and Mars will all be pretty easy to see since they shine brightly, Cooke said.
Venus will be one of the brightest things in the sky, and Mars will be hanging out near the moon with a reddish glow.
Mercury and Uranus could be trickier to spot, since they will be dimmer.
You’ll probably need to grab a pair of binoculars.
If you’re a “planet collector,” it’s a rare chance to spot Uranus, which usually isn’t visible, Cooke said.
Look out for its green glow just above Venus.
DOES THIS HAPPEN OFTEN?
Different numbers and groups of planets line up in the sky from time to time.
There was a five-planet lineup last summer and there’s another one in June, with a slightly different makeup.
This kind of alignment happens when the planets’ orbits line them up on one side of the sun from Earth’s perspective, Cooke said.
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Last modified: November 8, 2022
