This week, the five planets in our Solar System will be in alignment for the first time in over a decade! This alignment of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn is an exciting and rare celestial event and should not be missed. Here, we’ll discuss the five-planet alignment, provide details on how to view the alignment, and explain the unique aspects of this event.
What is a Five-Planet Alignment?
A five-planet alignment is an uncommon celestial event in which five planets in the Solar System align with Earth’s view of the night sky. This alignment happens approximately every ten to fifteen years, for a few nights at a time. This year’s alignment started on Monday, July 27th, and will continue through Saturday, August 1st. It’s a beautiful sight to behold, and we’ve got the details on how you can best enjoy it.
Which Planets Align This Week?
The five planets which will be visible in the early morning sky this week include:
• Mercury
• Venus
• Mars
• Jupiter
• Saturn
When Can I See the Five-Planet Alignment?
If you’re eager to view this alignment, you’ll need to be up early. The alignment will be most visible this week between 4:00am and 5:00am, since that’s when all five planets will rise before sunrise. To find the alignment in the night sky, look towards the southeast and use binoculars if you have them handy.
Tip: The Moon will be visible near the alignment this Wednesday and Saturday, adding to the beautiful vista of the night sky.
Why Is the Five-Planet Alignment Rarer than Other Celestial Events?
Due to the nature of the planets’ orbits, opportunities to view a five-planet alignment are rare occurrences. Since all five planets orbit at different speeds, they rarely group together in one spot—a phenomenon called a planetary “grand conjunctions”. This coordination of planets hasn’t been seen since 2004, and won’t be viewable again until 2040.
Additionally, most multi-planet alignments happen close to the Sun. Thankfully, this alignment is far enough away from it that the planets can be easily seen.
Important: Since all five planets line up close to each other, it’s important to use a small telescope or some binoculars in order to make sure you’re seeing them all.
Why Is This Five-Planet Alignment Special?
There are an extra few special aspects of this five-planet alignment. Firstly, it will be the first time in history that a multi-planet alignment takes place for six days instead of the usual four or five. Secondly, there’s an added bonus of the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, being visible at the same time. This type of alignment usually happens every 13 months, but this time our five-planet lineup is allowing viewers to see them together.
Encouragement: An alignment like this can be very difficult to spot without help, so if you’re having trouble, don’t be afraid to use a star chart to locate the planets. With patience and practice, you’ll soon be able to locate them for yourself.
What Should I Look for When Viewing the Five-Planet Alignment?
As you look towards the southeast early in the morning, you’ll be able to observe the planets grouped neatly in a row. Mercury will be the closest, with Venus and Mars close behind. Then you’ll likely see Jupiter and Saturn, which will be further away and slightly dimmer.
Tip: Since our Solar System is constantly in motion, the row of planets will be changing formation throughout the week. This can be a great opportunity to observe the different configurations of the planets.
What Else Should I Know About the Five-Planet Alignment?
• This alignment is a great chance to witness something special in the night sky. What was once thought to be mere myth is now an observable phenomenon in our own Solar System.
• This celestial event showcases the amazing variety of sizes, colors, and textures of planets in the Solar System.
• An alignment like this can be breathtaking, especially to those getting a close look with a telescope.
• While the planets orbit in predictable paths, alignments like this one tell us that the Solar System is always changing and interacting in fascinating ways.
This week’s five-planet alignment is a unique opportunity to observe a spectacular sight in the night sky. By rising early in the morning, you can get a great view of Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Venus, and Mars all lined up alongside each other. While this type of alignment doesn’t happen every day, its rarity is part of the excitement. This is your chance to witness a rare celestial event, so don’t miss your chance to view this amazing five planet alignment!