Starting 9 August, a rare phenomenon will be observed in the night sky - a parade of 6 planets
Starting from 9 August, you will be able to see an interesting astronomical phenomenon in the morning sky - 6 planets will line up at once. This is a lot, because since 2006, there have been only 8 planets left in the solar system, one of which is right under your feet. Only one and only Mars will be hiding behind the horizon at this time. If you haven't bought a telescope yet (shame on you!), I hasten to reassure you - 5 out of 6 celestial bodies are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
Details
In August 2025, in the morning before dawn, a rare astronomical spectacle will open in the sky - a parade of planets. Six planets (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) together with the Moon will form an elongated arc above the horizon - albeit for a few minutes before sunrise. The best time to observe is between 9th and 20th August, and the most spectacular day is 8th and 9th August, when the waning crescent Moon and the maximum brightness of the planets will create a fantastic view.
Where and when to watch?
The planets are visible in the morning, an hour before dawn. To get a better look at faint Uranus and Neptune, you need binoculars or a small telescope. Taking this time as a basis, Venus and Jupiter are approaching, especially close - on 11-12 August, approaching at a distance of only ~1°.
Uranus is located near the Pleiades star cluster, and the Moon occasionally "dances" next to individual planets - for example, on 12 August it "hugs" Saturn and Neptune, and around 20-21 August it creates beautiful compositions with Venus and Mercury.
Tip.
To see the parade in all its glory, choose a place with an open eastern horizon and a minimum of artificial light. Remember that it's dawn, and you can't look directly at the sun without special protective filters.
Source: www.cnet.com
