ISLAMABAD: A rare six-planet alignment will be visible in the evening sky on Saturday, offering skywatchers a chance to witness a “planetary parade,” according to astronomers.
Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are expected to appear along the same stretch of sky shortly after sunset. The viewing window will last about 30 to 45 minutes before some planets drop below the horizon.
This phenomenon occurs due to the planets orbiting along the same plane around the Sun, known as the ecliptic. From Earth, this alignment can place multiple planets in the same region of the sky at the same time.
Four planets visible to the naked eye
Four of the six planets can be seen without optical aid. Venus will shine as the brightest object in the lineup, low in the western sky near Aquarius, at magnitude −3.9. Jupiter will be visible in Gemini on the opposite side of the sky, while Saturn will appear between them in Pisces. Mercury, near the western horizon, may be difficult to spot without a clear, unobstructed view.
Two planets require binoculars or a telescope
Neptune, located near Saturn, is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. Uranus, positioned higher in Taurus near the Pleiades, may be hard to detect due to the nearly full Moon.
Astronomers say the display will be easier to observe from the Northern Hemisphere, making it a special event for stargazers in that region.
