Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat this June as a rare planetary parade graces the pre-dawn sky. However, the spectacle may not be as visually stunning as anticipated.
June 24, 2022 – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn created a dazzling display as they aligned in a rare planetary formation. This marked the first time in 18 years that the planets have lined up in their natural order from the Sun, a phenomenon last seen in December 2004 and not expected to recur until August 2040, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
“The last such event took place in 2004, and if you miss this one, you will have to wait until August 2040 for another planetary parade to take place,” Pagasa noted on their official Facebook account, sharing a photograph of the alignment.
What Is a Parade of Planets?
A planetary parade occurs when several planets in our solar system align on the same side of the Sun, making them visible across a narrow band of the Earth’s sky. The frequency of this phenomenon depends on the number of planets that align and their visibility without the aid of binoculars or telescopes.
What Will Be Visible During the Planetary Parade?
On June 3, six planets—Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will line up before dawn. However, only two of these planets will be visible to the naked eye.
“The sun’s going to be photobombing the parade,” explained Ronald Gamble, a theoretical astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Mercury and Jupiter will be too close to the horizon, obscured by the rising sun. Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope for viewing, with Uranus potentially too near the sun to be seen.
Early risers can still look to the east to spot a waning crescent moon to the lower left, accompanied by the faint red hue of Mars and the pale yellow dot of Saturn. Both planets are currently visible in the early morning sky and will remain so for much of the summer.
What Else Can I See in the Sky This Summer?
Despite the limited visibility of the planetary parade, the night sky offers plenty of other celestial wonders. Michelle Nichols from Chicago’s Adler Planetarium recommends using a star or planet-viewing app to explore the summer sky.
Additionally, the annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak in mid-August, offering quick streaks of light for observers. Nichols advises finding a location away from city lights and allowing your eyes to adjust to the dark for the best viewing experience.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
