Watch the rare 5-planet alignment peak in the sky this weekend
The event started in early June and continues to get brighter and easier to see as the month progresses, according to Diana Hannikainen, observation editor at Sky & Telescope.
The declining crescent will join the party between Venus and Mars on Friday, adding another celestial object to the line. The moon in alignment represents the relative position of the Earth, meaning that our planet appears in planetary order.
This rare phenomenon has not occurred since December 2004 and this year, the distance between Mercury and Saturn is small, according to Sky & Telescope.
Hannikinen said stargazers must have a clear view of the eastern horizon to spot the incredible phenomenon. Humans can observe planets with the naked eye, but binoculars are recommended for the best viewing experience, he said.
The best time to watch the five planets is an hour before sunrise, he said. The night before you plan to watch the alignment, check out when the sun rises in your area.
Some stargazers are particularly keen for the sky program, including Hannikainen. She flew west of Boston from her home in the Atlantic Ocean to the beachside town for a better view.
“I’m out with my binoculars, looking east and southeast and crossing all my fingers and toes, it’s clear,” Hanikinen said.
You don’t have to travel to catch a glimpse of the action because it is visible to people around the world.
Stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can see planets from the east to the southeastern horizon, while those in the southern hemisphere should look from the east to the northeast. Only a clear sky in the direction of alignment is necessary.
By the next day, the moon would continue its orbit around the Earth, moving it out of alignment with the planets, he said.
If you miss the five-planet alignment in sequential order, the next one will occur in 2040, according to Sky & Telescope.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, there will be seven full moon in 2022:
- June 14: Strawberry Moon
- July 13: Buck Moon
- August 11: Sturgeon Moon
- September 10: Harvest Moon
- October 9: The hunter’s moon
- November 8: Beaver Moon
- December 7: Cold Moon
These are popular names for monthly full moon, but the importance of each may vary among Native American tribes.
Lunar and solar eclipses
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, there will still be a total eclipse and partial eclipse in 2022.
The partial eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun but blocks only some of its light. Be sure to wear proper eclipse glasses to watch the eclipse safely, as sunlight can damage the eyes.
On October 25, a partial eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Europe, Northeast Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, India and western China. Partial eclipses are not visible from North America.
Between 3:01 am ET and 8:58 am ET on November 8, the entire eclipse will also be on display for those in Asia, Australia, the Pacific, South America and North America – but the moon will blow over those who are there. Eastern regions of North America.
Meteorites
Check out the maximum 11 showers in 2022:
- Southern Delta Aquarides: July 29th-30th
- Alpha Capricorns: July 30th to 31st
- Perseids: August 11 to 12
- Orionids: October 20th to 21st
- Southern Taurids: November 4 to 5
- Northern Taurids: November 11 to 12
- Leonids: November 17th-18th
- Piles of Mithun: December 13th to 14th
- Ursides: December 21 to 22
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that is not lit by city lights for a better view.
Find an open area with a panoramic view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can see directly. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes – without looking at your phone or other electronics – to make it easier to spot meteorites to adapt to the darkness.
