5 planets set to line up within the daybreak sky
Early risers with a great view of the horizon will get the most effective probability of recognizing the alignment, also referred to as a planetary parade.
While Jupiter and Saturn might be straightforward to identify, Neptune and Uranus might require binoculars and Mercury might be seen for a brief area of time.
Don Pollacco, a professor on the University of Warwick’s Department of Physics, mentioned: “While Jupiter and Saturn will be easy to spot by eye, Mercury will be more challenging as its proximity to the sun means that it is only just above the horizon and visible about an hour before sunrise.
Jupiter and Saturn will be bright objects that have a yellowy colour, Mercury often looks pink, and Uranus and Neptune pale white-green
“Neptune and Uranus need binoculars to be sure of seeing them – although some keen-sighted people can see Uranus unaided.
“Jupiter and Saturn will be bright objects that have a yellowy colour, Mercury often looks pink, and Uranus and Neptune pale white-green.”
Alignments happen when the planets within the photo voltaic system are all roughly positioned in the identical path when considered from Earth.
Saturn would be the first to rise, adopted by Neptune, Jupiter, Uranus and Mercury.
Prof Pollacco mentioned: “Given that we understand the orbits of the planets, we can predict when these ‘alignments’ will occur.
“While the planets may look relatively close together in the sky they are of course separated by many millions of miles.”
The subsequent five-planet alignment will happen on April 20 2024, which might be a morning parade with Venus, Mercury, Neptune, Mars, and Saturn.