Check out this rare planetary alignment before it’s gone

For the first time in over a decade, five planets including Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter, will be visible in the early morning sky until Feb. 20. Observable to the naked-eye, no special equipment is essential to view these planets, just simply a clear sky and horizon view.

Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech.

The rare alignment of the five visible planets of our solar system became visible in the sky on Jan. 20; the last time this happened was between December 2004 and January 2005.

When the unique assembly began, Mercury was still somewhat low on the horizon, making it difficult to observe for those living in cities or with an obstructed view of the horizon. But throughout the end of January and into February, Mercury climbed higher in the sky and can now be clearly seen.

If you gaze out into the horizon, Mercury is the first visible planet you’ll notice. Above and to the right of Mercury, you’ll find Venus, then followed by Saturn. As a reference point, observers should find Venus, the brightest planet in the sky, in order to locate the neighboring planets. Mars is positioned higher up in the sky near bright star Spica, and Jupiter, the second brightest planet in the sky, is located further right.

The waning moon can also work as a guide to view the planetary alignment. Tonight, the moon will be positioned near Saturn; by the weekend, Mercury and the moon will be in conjunction. Scientists recommend searching for the configuration at least 45 minutes prior to sunrise with the planets visible on the eastern horizon. For the best possible view, it’s suggested that observers be in a location with a clear view to the south or southeast.

These types of alignments are extremely unusual due to the complex relationships between the speeds that planets orbit the sun and where they are relative to Earth. Mercury takes 88 days to revolve around the sun; Venus uses 225 days; Mars takes approximately 687 days; Jupiter falls at 11.86 years and Saturn at 29.4 years. The concept is similar to cars going around a huge rack track at different speeds. When a planet is on one side of the sun, it appears in the morning sky; when it’s on the other side, it appears in the evening; and when it’s behind the sun, it’s invisible completely.

Knowing this can help you appreciate the alignment being so exceptional. But by the middle of February, Mercury will start to fade from the pre-dawn sky. If you miss this alignment, the next chance you’ll have to see something similar won’t be until July 2020.

Source: International Business Times and Lethbridge Herald