Stargazers will have a special treat tonight as all seven planets in our solar system become visible in the night sky. This event, known as a “planetary parade,” occurs when several planets appear to line up on the same side of the Sun.
Although they won’t form a perfect straight line, they will be close together, making for a stunning celestial display. “These alignments happen every year, but usually with fewer planets visible,” explained Hannah Sparkes, planetarium supervisor at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Florida. A similar event took place last June, but only two planets could be seen without special equipment. Earlier this year, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were all visible to the naked eye.
For the best viewing experience, step outside a few hours after sunset. The planets will appear as bright points of light, with Mars standing out due to its reddish-orange color, says Kevin Williams, planetarium director at Buffalo State University. Using a stargazing app can help locate each planet, as Mercury might be faint but still visible. Over the next few months, the planets will slowly move out of sight as spring progresses.
“This kind of event reminds us of our place in the universe,” Williams added.
Exciting New Photos of Mercury’s North Pole
In addition to the planetary alignment, space enthusiasts have another reason to celebrate. A recent space mission has sent back some of the most detailed images of Mercury’s north pole. A robotic spacecraft, a joint project between Europe and Japan, flew just 183 miles above the planet’s surface, capturing incredible images of its dark craters and volcanic plains.
The European Space Agency released these photos in January, showcasing Mercury’s largest impact crater, which stretches over 930 miles (1,500 km). This was the sixth and final flyby of the BepiColombo spacecraft before it officially enters Mercury’s orbit next year. Once there, two orbiters—one from Europe and one from Japan—will study the planet’s surface and atmosphere.
With both a rare planetary alignment and groundbreaking new images of Mercury, space lovers have plenty to be excited about. Don’t miss the chance to step outside tonight and witness this spectacular event in the night sky!
