On a special day in the world of astronomy, a rare celestial event will enable seven planets to “align” in Brazil’s night sky. This article will guide you on how to best observe this planetary alignment and when it will occur.
The Spectacle in the Sky
Today, the universe will treat us to an unusual astronomical spectacle. Seven planets will neatly align in the night sky, a phenomenon visible from Brazil. The ideal time to witness this alignment is in the hours following sunset, although the exact timing will depend on your location. For instance, in Sao Paulo, sunset is anticipated at 18h36, while in Rio de Janeiro, it will occur at 18h22.
The peak visibility in Brazil is expected on March 4. However, the moon, shining brightly in the western direction, might somewhat hinder the visibility. As explained by Roberto Costa, a professor from the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics, and Atmospheric Sciences (IAG) of USP, the moon’s radiance could make it challenging to distinguish the planets, with Mercury being particularly elusive.
The Best Ways to View the Planetary Alignment
There are a number of strategies you can employ to enhance your viewing experience. Real-time sky mapping applications like Stellarium and Star Walk 2 can provide valuable assistance. After sunset, use these apps to locate the planets, then find a spot with a cloudless horizon and minimal visual obstructions like buildings.
According to Starwalk, the seven planets that will share the night sky visible from Earth include Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars. This planetary alignment coincides with the New Moon, providing an amazing chance to spot fainter objects like Uranus and Neptune.
Saturn might prove the most difficult to spot due to its proximity to the sun, which makes its viewing window rather brief. To witness the complete “parade”, you’ll need to know the exact time to locate the planet.
Gatherings for the Celestial Phenomenon
Events are set to bring together enthusiasts to observe this phenomenon. One such gathering will take place at the Ibirapuera Park Planetarium in Sao Paulo, starting today at 19h30, free of charge. The Municipal Observatory of Campinas will also open for the alignment viewing.
Understanding the Planetary Alignment
The term “planetary alignment” refers to the gathering of multiple planets on one side of the sun simultaneously. Starwalk refers to this event informally as a “planetary parade”, indicating that several planets are visible to the naked eye in one night.
The planets form a line, albeit not perfectly straight. All planets orbit the sun nearly on the same plane. Therefore, when observed from Earth, the other planets appear to move along the ecliptic, the sun’s annual trajectory in the sky.
There are different types of planetary alignments, distinguished by the number of participating planets. Alignments with three planets are considered “mini”, those with four are “small”, those with five or six are “big”, and those involving all Solar System planets are “complete”. According to Starwalk, the latter scenario may also include Pluto, now classified as a dwarf planet.
