Grab Your Last Chance to Spot Mercury in the Six-Planet Show
Before the break of day on an upcoming Monday, a celestial spectacle will unfold. The sky will be graced by six planets, with the likes of Saturn, Jupiter, and dazzling Venus taking center stage. Mercury, though not as prominent, will still make its presence known low in the east. Uranus and Neptune, too, will join the party, but you'll need binoculars or a small telescope to catch them. However, take note that time is running out, as Mercury will soon be lost in the sun's glare, and the six-planet spectacle will be one planet short.
Debunking the 'Planetary Alignment' Myth
You might have heard the term "planetary alignment" tossed around to describe this sunrise spectacle. But here's a fun fact: that's not quite accurate. Planets don't just meander aimlessly in space, aligning themselves on a whim. Their orbits around the sun follow nearly round paths, all on the same flat plane. So, from our vantage point on Earth, they appear to line up along a specific path in the sky—called the ecliptic—that the sun also follows. The moon joins the party too, sticking close to the ecliptic and occasionally crossing it during a new moon or full moon, which can result in an eclipse. So, the number of planets you see at night isn't due to some cosmic lottery, but depends on where Earth and the other planets are in their orbits.
What's in Store After the 'Planet Parade'
Even after the grandeur of this six-planet show fades, there's plenty to look forward to in the world of astronomy. September promises a treasure trove of night-sky events. The month kicks off on a high note with a total lunar eclipse. Visible across parts of Asia, Africa, and western Australia, this event will bathe the full corn moon in a dreamy pinkish-orange hue. Fast forward to September 19, and you'll find Venus putting on a show next to the star Regulus in Leo, under a delicate crescent moon. Just two days later, a partial solar eclipse will make its way across the Pacific, coinciding with Saturn reaching opposition and shining at its brightest for the year.
A Novice Stargazer's Guide to the 'Planet Parade'
If you're new to the world of stargazing, there's no need to fret. Observing the 'planet parade' is easier than you might think. So, grab your telescope or binoculars, and head out of the city where there's less light pollution. Trust us, the sight of the Milky Way in all its glory is worth the trip. If you're not sure where to go, there are plenty of designated Dark Sky Places around the world that offer ideal conditions for stargazing.