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Another planetary display is scheduled for this month, and will take place this weekend.
If you missed the last chance or want a second chance to show off your telescope skills and snap 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 are closely clustered 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 be in a single line in the sky. Sources such as USA Today and SkySafari Pro Share that Uranus and Neptune will also be visible during the event. While some planets will be visible to the naked eye, others like Neptune will require the help of high-powered binoculars or a telescope to be seen.
How does planetary alignment work?
All the planets orbit the Sun on the same orbital plane, known as the Earth’s ecliptic, and they all travel along it and eventually catch up with each other over time. Once the two planets meet, it appears as if they are parallel as they pass Earth, but the line will not be completely straight, according to the American “space” website. Space.com website.
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 do not always feature the same number of planets.
- A conjunction occurs when two or more planets come close to each other in the sky.
- The minor planetary alignment includes three planets.
- A minor planetary alignment includes four planets.
- A major planetary alignment involves five or six planets.
- A great or complete planetary alignment features 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 become 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.
If the celestial event does not occur on June 29, the next planetary walks to watch for will occur on August 28 and January 18, 2025, both of which will include Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, according to Starwalk.space.
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