Another planetary display is scheduled for this month, and will take place this weekend.
If you missed it last time or would like a second chance to show off your telescope skills and take some photos, here are the details.
Planetary alignment on June 29, 2024
A planetary alignment, also known as a planetary parade, occurs when several planets come closely together on one side of the sun at the same time, according to starwalk.space.
NASA Reports indicate that the second planetary alignment of June, a few weeks after the first on June 3, will occur on Saturday, June 29.
Before dawn on June 29, Saturn, the Moon, Mars and Jupiter will line up in the sky. Sources like USA Today and SkySafari Pro indicate that Uranus and Neptune will also be visible during the event. While some planets will be visible with the naked eye, others, like Neptune, will need the help of high-powered binoculars or a telescope to see them.
How does planetary alignment work?
All the planets orbit the Sun along the same orbital plane, known as the ecliptic on Earth, and they all travel along it and eventually meet each other over time. Once the planets meet, it's as if they're aligned as they travel around Earth, but the line won't be perfectly straight, according to Space.com.
Since each planet moves at different speeds, the alignment will only last a short time, depending on each planet's distance from the Sun. This is also why planetary alignments are not always characterized by the same number of planets.
- A conjunction occurs when two or more planets approach each other in the sky.
- The minor planetary alignment includes three planets.
- The minor planet alignment includes four planets.
- Major planetary alignments involve five or six planets.
- Major or full planetary alignments feature all the planets of the solar system, and sometimes Pluto.
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Where to see the planetary alignment on June 29
The planetary alignment will be visible almost everywhere in the United States on June 29, according to NASA, but the ideal time to tune in may vary depending on your specific location. High mountains and tall buildings in your area can also hide the planets from view, according to Starwalk.space.
The best place to view is a part of the dark sky with no light pollution and a clear view of the horizon.
When will the next planetary alignment be visible?
If you end up missing the show entirely, planetary alignments aren't as rare as they seem, and there will be opportunities to see the show again.
from Space.comFrom our perspective on Earth, it is very common to see the planets aligned along the Sun's path, and this happens several times a year.
In case the June 29 celestial event doesn't work out for you, the next planetary parades to note will occur on August 28 and January 18, 2025, both involving Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, according to Starwalk.space.
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