Seven planets will line up for a uncommon “planetary parade” as we speak, and you may watch it reside on-line.
The planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — plus the moon — align within the night time sky simply after nightfall as we speak (Feb. 28). Many of the planets shall be seen to the unaided eye, however you have to a very good telescope to see the total present. It’s also possible to view this spectacular planetary alignment throughout a free webcast this afternoon, hosted by the Digital Telescope Mission in Italy (climate allowing).
Beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET (1700 GMT), astrophysicist Gianluca Masi of the Digital Telescope Mission will stream reside telescope views of all seven of the planets in marching order. You may watch the livestream right here on Area.com courtesy of the Digital Telescope Mission or immediately on their WebTV page or YouTube channel.
Associated: Astrophotographer captures ‘rare’ planetary parade as 7 planets align in the night sky (photo)
“Such a parade occurs occasionally and we want to share this occasion with our mates around the globe,” Masi stated in a statement asserting the webcast.
Whereas most of those planets have been visible within the night sky since January, Mercury is the most recent planet to affix the procession, reaching its highest level above the horizon. The seven planets will share the sky for a number of days earlier than Mercury and Saturn sink too low on the horizon for most individuals to see.
Such a planetary alignment — referred to by many as a planetary parade — happens as a result of the planets orbit the solar on a comparatively flat, disk-shaped aircraft. Whereas it’s not unusual for a number of planets to be seen on the identical time, it’s uncommon for all seven to line up directly. The truth is, the following such alignment will not be seen till 2040.
To see the seven planets within the sky, it is really helpful that viewers discover a spot with minimal gentle air pollution on a transparent night time. Whereas 5 of the planets seem large and vivid sufficient to be seen by the unaided eye, a telescope or pair of binoculars are wanted to see Uranus and Neptune, given they reside furthest from Earth and thus seem a lot dimmer within the night time sky.
With telescopes situated in coastal southwestern Tuscany, the Digital Telescope Mission has entry to unobscured skies, providing optimum viewing situations for the planetary parade. Make sure you watch the reside on-line feed shortly after sundown regionally, when all seven planets seem in view.
