Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
In early June, stargazers will witness a rare alignment of six planets in the early morning skies, weeks after the total solar eclipse.
This phenomenon, where planets appear in a near-straight line from Earth’s perspective, is an illusion of perspective rather than an actual straight line in space.
The alignment will include Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, creating a unique visual spectacle.
Not all planets will be visible to the naked eye due to their distance from Earth, and the Moon’s brightness may also affect visibility.
Mars and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, albeit dimly, while Mercury and Jupiter will be harder to spot due to their proximity to the Sun.
Telescopes or high-powered binoculars will be needed to observe Uranus and Neptune, which are too faint to be seen unaided.
Saturn, shining at magnitude 1.1, will appear first in Aquarius, followed by Neptune in Pisces at magnitude 7.9, requiring binoculars. Mars, with a red tint at magnitude 1.0, will rise next, visible without optical aid.
At dawn, Uranus (magnitude 5.8), Jupiter (magnitude -2.0), and Mercury (magnitude -1.4) will appear in Taurus. Jupiter will be bright, but Mercury may be challenging to spot.
To observe the alignment, research the date and time in advance, choose a clear, unobstructed viewing spot away from city lights, and check the weather forecast for clear skies. Various astronomy websites and apps, as well as organizations like NASA, provide detailed information for optimal viewing.