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While things here on Earth can be complicated, stressful, and even more than a little uncertain as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the cosmos appears to be functioning as it always has and this week. , it means sky watchers are ready for a treat. Every planet in our solar system – except Earth because, you know, we are there – will be visible in the sky at different times of the day, a celestial phenomenon that is not uncommon but always rare.
This week, Venus and Mercury will be bright enough to be seen in the morning. Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn will all be visible at night. The Earth Sky website has published a comprehensive guide to viewing planets, including information about Uranus (via WCVB).
“Early this morning, I took the time to take a look at the crescent moon,” said Joe Guzman, astronomer and educator at After School Matters in Chicago. “And when the sun goes down tonight, you will certainly be able to see Jupiter and Saturn.”
While the appearance of the planets in the night sky is a bit unusual, it is not particularly rare and can be attributed to simple coincidence. And while they’re bright enough to see with the naked eye, if you have a telescope, you’re in for a treat. With a telescope, the rings of Saturn are also visible.
“It’s the dance of the planets around the sun,” Guzman said. “It’s a natural occurrence, and it happens from time to time. It is not uncommon, but it is infrequent. They just happen to stay on this side of the sun, but they’ll soon start to separate again. “
This isn’t the first time in recent weeks that the sky has put on a show for those who look up. On Halloween, there was a rare full moon on Halloween night which, more than being unusual on Halloween – which won’t happen again until 2039 – was also visible almost around the world, only Australia and the New Zealand missing the scary moon. as it was already November 1st in these countries. Adding even more rarity to the situation, the moon was something called a micro-moon. This means that it is the full moon that occurs at the farthest point from Earth in its orbit. This position makes tonight’s full moon the smallest of the year. An unusual full moon seen almost around the world on Halloween which is also the second full moon in October and the micro moon of the year? It’s a lot of unusual, which seems oddly trending for 2020, but in a good way.
Will you be doing a little stargazing this week to see all the planets in our solar system? Let us know in the comments.
Photo: Nicolas Economou / NurPhoto via Getty Images
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