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Five Planets And The Moon To Align In A Rare Astronomical Event

Five planets and the moon to align in a rare astronomical event. This alignment will feature the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, all visible in a single view from Earth.

Author:Rhyley Carney
Reviewer:Paula M. Graham
Mar 23, 20238.1K Shares108K Views
Five planets and the moon to align in a rare astronomical event. This alignment will feature the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, all visible in a single view from Earth.
This rare event is known as a planetary parade and it is a sight that should not be missed. The planets will be visible to the naked eye, but astronomers recommend using binoculars or a telescope for a more detailed view.
When multiple planets are visible in the same region of the sky, this phenomenon is known as a "planetary parade." This is due to the fact that the planets go around the sun at varying speeds and maintain varying distances from one another while they do so. When this happens, the orbits of the planets line up in a way that enables us to observe numerous planets at the same time.
According to Space.com, the planets will be arrayed across the western horizon in an arc about 20 to 25 minutes after Monday's sunset, starting with Mercury and Jupiter. However, the brightness of twilight could mask them, and the viewing window is only about 25 to 30 minutes. Any structure or sightline glitch could also obscure them, so the best option is to look out over a westward-facing shoreline that is flat and wide open with no obstructions.
Venus will be slightly higher and more discernible, with a longer viewing window, and above it to the left will be faint, greenish-hued Uranus. Mars will be higher up and cozying next to a crescent moon.Although Monday is the best day to observe this phenomenon, the alignment will be visible in the days leading up to and following the high point.
Before this event, a massive asteroid known as 2023 DZ2 will pass by Earth inside the moon's orbit. NASA estimates the asteroid to be between 141 and 310 feet across, three times the size of the one that caused damage to Chelyabinsk in 2013. The asteroid will cruise about 100,000 miles away, halfway between Earth and the moon, on Saturday at 3:51 p.m., traveling at 17,426 mph on its way to the sun.
NASA says that while close approaches are regular occurrences, an asteroid of this size only happens about once per decade, providing a unique opportunity for science. Planetary parades are rare events and provide a unique opportunity to view several planets at once. This alignment is especially rare because it features five planets, making it a must-see event for astronomers and stargazers alike.

Conclusion

This planetary parade featuring five planets and the moon aligning in the night sky is a unique opportunity for stargazers to witness a rare and beautiful sight. Make sure to mark your calendars and set your alarms to see this once-in-a-lifetime event.
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Rhyley Carney

Rhyley Carney

Author
Paula M. Graham

Paula M. Graham

Reviewer
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