This month the sky will give us an astronomical show as wonderful as it is unique: during the night of March 28, 2023five planets – Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars – will “align” and will be able viewed simultaneously from Earth.
Furthermore, as if that were not enough, the phenomenon will occur in to tune with the Moon in its waxing phase, highlights National Geographic.
What is the March 2023 planetary alignment
First of all, although this event has been known as a “planetary alignment”does not technically present its traditional characteristics, since it not all stars will be in a straight line.
But, despite this, there is a lot of interest not only among amateur astronomers but also among the general public because they are five planets that can be seen together and at the same timea very significant figure.
In reality, the phenomenon already began on March 25th and will continue until the 30th; however, the night of this Tuesday the 28th will be when it is at its peak splendor and clarity.
According to the site, the planets that will be seen closest to the horizon will be Mercury, Jupiter, in constellation Pisces; Uranus will be near the latter, fainter and harder to spot.
Therefore, it is recommended to use a telescope and place it between the constellations of Aries and Taurusabove Venus, the third brightest body in the sky after the Sun and the Moon.
For its part, Mars, which will be higher in the sky, in the constellation of geminiit will have a reddish glow.
When and how to see the March 2023 planetary alignment
Fortunately, the phenomenon can be seen in everyone from sunset. To achieve this, you must face west once the sun has set.
In Argentina, Uruguay and Chile the best time to observe it will be from 01:53 in the morning on the 29th; in Miami, starting at 00:53; in Mexico, from 10.53pm; and in Colombia from 11.53pm.
The ideal thing to enjoy it in its maximum splendor is to position yourself in a space with the as little light pollution as possible.
Venus and Mars They will be very easy to see naked eye. However, the same will not be the case with all of the Astros that make up the March 2023 planetary alignment.
Second living science“you may need to use binoculars or a telescope to find the brightness of Mercury and the dimming of Jupiter.” Even more so with Uranus, which is always beyond natural human perception.
The planetary alignment will follow this order, highlights National Geographic:
- Mercury (the first planet of the Solar System)
- Jupiter (the fifth planet of the Solar System)
- Venus (the second planet of the Solar System)
- Uranus (the seventh planet in the Solar System)
- Mars (the fourth planet in the Solar System)
- Moon (the only natural satellite of the Earth) which, in its waxing phase, can take on a certain reddish hue.
This does not mean, of course, that the planets of the Solar System have changed their orbit or their order. Indeed, no serious scientific outlet would claim anything like this.
Rather, this alignment is taken because This is how they will look from the point of view of the earth’s surface.
An easy way to identify planets is to download a file astronomy application AS Sky tonightshowing exactly where each planet is in the night sky.
In this case the phone is pointed at the sky and the application will show a live representation of what can be seen in the sky with details of this particular phenomenon.
What is a planetary alignment?
Second starwalk.spacethere are two common definitions of what a planetary alignment.
One assures that it is “an astronomical event in which the planets approach one side of the Sun simultaneously, as seen from above the Solar System”.
In this sense, some believe that the planets of the Solar System can form a straight line as seen from the Sun. However, the planets cannot achieve complete alignment in three dimensions. An even looser grouping in a quadrant (a 90 degree sector) is extremely rare: all planets will meet in one quadrant only 7 times in the current millennium.
Others define it as “a visual phenomenon in which the planets appear together in a small sector of the sky, as viewed from Earth”.
When the Earth is one of the planets gathered on one side of the Sun, it appears to the observer that there are several planets lined up in the sky. The smaller the sector where the planets are seen, the more spectacular the alignment.
According to the number of planets involved in the event, there are four categories of alignments, the site explains. These are:
- Mini Planetary Alignment: 3 planets
- Small planetary alignment: 4 planets
- Major planetary alignment: 5 or 6 planets
- Major Planetary Alignment (Full): All planets in the Solar System (+Pluto at times)
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.