Seven planets are lined up in spectacular displays (magnificent displays known as Planet Parades), making a stunning space vacation for American residents on Friday evenings. Such a sight will not be seen again until 2040.
“You can see seven planets in the evening sky,” NASA astronomer Bill Cook, based at Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, told Fox News Digital.
“And three of them will look easy.”
“Fly” your aircraft with your first flight simulator at the US Air Force Academy Hotel
Planet hunters hoping to get a glimpse of the spectacular display need some simple items for the best experience: clear weather, dark sky, what is desirable to see a pair of binoculars or telescopes.
The action begins at sunset. After that, there is only a 30 minute window where all seven planets can align above the horizon.
Go outside, look at the night sky, and see all seven planets in the solar system in full display. (Educational Images/Universal Image Group via Getty Images)
“If you look west after sunset, you’ll see Saturn, a planet that’s very close to the sun,” Cook said.
“But it’s going to be so close, it’s going to be kind of lost in the glare of Twilight. So you need a pair of binoculars.”
Planet Quiz! How well do you know these fun facts about our solar system?
Saturn is about 9 degrees above the horizon.
“It takes about 20 minutes to see Saturn, which will be set right after sunset,” Cook said.
Billcook, a NASA astronomer based at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, spoke with Fox News Digital about this out-of-world display that will be visible on Friday evening. (NASA)
“So, if you want to catch all seven, there’s this narrow window that starts with Saturn.”
Next on the list is Planet Neptune.
Due to solar flares, you may have a rare chance to see the aurora this weekend
“Neptune will need a telescope — and not about that,” Cook said.
A little higher is the planet’s mercury, and Cook said he also needs binoculars.
But then the three planets will look very easy.
Experts say you can see the planet’s mercury through binoculars. (istock)
“Next time will be the brightest in the sky outside the moon,” he said. “Venus on the planet. It will be like the bright star that people see in the West after sunset. It’s easy to see.”
After Venus there is a dim planet that is difficult to see.
“These are three simple targets for your eyes. Saturn, mercury and Uranus can be seen through a pair of binoculars, but Neptune needs a telescope.”
“If you go further east, you’ll need a pair of binoculars to see the planet Uranus,” Cook said.
Uranus becomes another bright star, the planet Jupiter.
James Webb’s telescope reveals galaxies that were banned billions of years ago
“And after Jupiter, all of those cutting edges will be planet Mars,” Cook said.
If you have a clear night and a relatively dark sky, you’re almost certain to see at least three planets.
Not all planets need the help of binoculars or telescopes. Some will be visible to the naked eye. (istock)
“Venus knocks out your eyes, so you can’t miss it,” Cook said.
“Jupin is very bright and Mars – these are three simple targets for your eyes. Saturn, mercury and Uranus can be seen through binoculars, but Neptune needs a telescope.”
Cook noted that the planetarium phone app helps untrained eyes identify planets. Some of them are free and suitable for beginners.
You don’t need to travel to West Texas or Utah to see the planetary parade.
Simply stepping outside the city range can greatly improve the effects of light pollution, which debilitates the contrast between stars, planets and the night sky.
It is best to move outside the city’s restrictions to avoid potential physical obstructions and find open sky. (istock)
It also reduces physical obstacles such as tall buildings.
The next seven planets will all form a parade in 2040, but in October 2028 there will be another parade involving five planets.
“This is a bit unusual in that, in theory, all seven can be seen at the same time in the evening sky,” Cook said.
“Even if you have a phone, like a modern Android or iPhone, you can set up that sucker, take a series of images and catch the entire solar eclipse.”
“Last year we had a planetary parade with several bright planets, but not all seven are visible at the same time.”
Several other heavenly events this year may be of interest to the Amateur Stargazers as well. Next is Blood Moon, which is set from March 13th to 14th.
American Culture Quiz: Test yourself in the White House, Pie’s preferences, Space Age success
“It’s always fun to see the moon,” Cook said. “The total lunar eclipse creates a bloody moon. It’s one of the events worth staying.”
Cook said that the phenomenon occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon.
Last year there was a small planet parade where only a few planets can be seen, and in 2028 we will see five of the major seven. (istock)
“You think when the moon enters the shadow of Earth, it turns black,” Cook said.
He added that the Blood Moon is a good opportunity for even amateur photographers to capture heavenly events.
Click here to sign up for our Lifestyle Newsletter
“Even if you use a phone, like modern Android or iPhone, you can still set up that sucker and take a sequence of images and catch the entire solar eclipse,” he said.
“So you can not only see it, but you can simply create a record of it with your mobile phone camera.”
A complete planetary parade showing all seven planets will not be seen again until 2040. (Apollo 17; Apollo 8; Apollo 12; Pioneer Venus; Voyager I; Mariner 10; Pioneer 11.)
Showers of several meteors, like Lilid, Perseid and Geminid, also adorn the skies throughout the year, but Cook has his favourites.
“There are two great meteor showers every year,” he said.
For more lifestyle articles, please visit foxnews.com/lifestyle
“Perseid and Giminid. Everything else is fine.”
The Persieds Meteor Shower will take place on August 12-13, but Cooke said this year the moon will be a bit interfering.
FE on Friday evening. 28, it introduces the seven planets of the solar system. (istock)
The most impressive meteor shower of the year is Geminis, mid-December.
“It’s going to be a big thing for you,” Cook said.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“The Lilid is a medium-strength shower,” he said.
“To be honest, I won’t send it to anyone to see it.”
