Gaze Upon the Celestial Symphony: Witness the Planet Parade in Australia’s Night Sky!

The evening sky is set to present a cosmic spectacle over the forthcoming week, showcasing a brilliant “planetary parade” that includes six prominent planets along with a bonus comet observable in the coming days.

The four luminous planets — Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars — are already discernible in the night sky to the naked eye just after twilight.

Moreover, this weekend provides the prime opportunity to view Venus and Saturn as they appear very close in proximity during a conjunction, as explained by Donna Burton, an astronomer at the Milroy Observatory in Coonabarabran.

“Finding Saturn with a pair of binoculars will be quite simple since it’s positioned closely in the same view as Venus.”

Additionally, you might catch a comet simultaneously adjacent to the two planets.

Uranus and Neptune are also visible but spotting them will require binoculars or a telescope alongside a vigilant gaze.

While a few planets aligning isn’t particularly uncommon, witnessing so many together is a rare spectacle that Ms. Burton believes Australians should embrace.

“In comparison to other regions globally, even in Sydney, the most light-polluted city in Australia, people can still observe [planets and stars].”

How to view the ‘planetary parade’

Wherever you are in Australia, aim to venture outside between 60 and 90 minutes post-sunset and begin by facing approximately westward.

“If you step outside at present after dark, you should have no trouble spotting Venus in the west, as it’s the evening star and shines brightly,” Ms. Burton illustrates.

Jupiter will be positioned towards the north, reigning high in the sky, while Mars, recognizable by its orange tint, will be located lower in the northeastern sky.

“You will be able to see Saturn, also located in the west, with your bare eye, but a small telescope is needed to view its rings.”

The planet is nearly edge-on in the sky, making its rings difficult to observe, rendering it fainter than usual.

Venus and Saturn are only visible for a brief period after sunset before they descend below the horizon, thus it’s advisable to head out early, especially if you reside further south.

Neptune and Uranus are positioned between Venus and Jupiter, but they are considerably dimmer and cannot be seen without assistance.

On February 28, Mercury will join the other six planets in the night sky, completing the alignment. However, by that time, both Mercury and Saturn will only be visible during twilight in the southern states, complicating the visibility of all planets concurrently.

What about comet C/2024 G3 (ATLAS)?

“Comet C/2024 G3 has successfully navigated perihelion and is appearing splendidly,” states amateur astronomer Ian Musgrave. 

“Individuals have been able to capture images of it in the US 10 minutes post-sunset,” Dr Musgrave states.

To witness it, glance low at the western horizon right after sunset. Comets are best observed if you have access to a low western horizon, such as a beach or an open field devoid of trees and structures.

While the tail may not be discernible without binoculars or a telescope, the comet itself ought to be visible to the unaided eye, appearing like a luminous star.

At present, it is moving away from the Sun, so there are only a few days available to view it before it begins to fade rapidly as it journeys back towards the outer regions of the Solar System.

How can I optimally observe the planets?

Although certain planets and the comet will be visible to the naked eye, employing binoculars or small telescopes will enhance your view, enabling you to see the moons of Jupiter, Saturn’s famous rings, Neptune, or Uranus.

From our vantage point, planets trace a route in the sky known as the ecliptic, which makes them easier to detect.

If you’re unfamiliar with the night sky, Ms Burton suggests utilizing stargazing applications for assistance.

There exists a variety of free websites and apps that can aid you in identifying where to look from your location.

“The apps on your device are excellent — and the free versions available are just as effective because, if you wish to know where objects are, you simply hold up your phone and it indicates the location,” she mentions.

Are the planets in ideal ‘alignment’?

Not exactly. Although not an astronomical term, NASA has described this phenomenon as a “parade of planets”, but it doesn’t imply that the planets are in a precise lineup.

While the planets seem to travel in a line across the sky, they are in reality millions of kilometers apart as they orbit the Sun.

The position of planets at any specific time hinges on how their orbit aligns with ours.

If one could zoom out from our Solar System, most of the planets are currently gathered in one region, making them visible from Earth in the same section of the sky.

As the Earth rotates, we observe a slightly different segment of the sky; thus, some planets seem to dip below the horizon to the west from our viewpoint, while others ascend higher throughout the evening.

Planetary alignment more than a spectacle

For Ms Burton, the planetary parade represents more than just a celestial display — it serves as an inspiration to safeguard the wonder of the night sky.

“From my perspectivescientifically, it’s beneficial to encourage individuals to gaze upwards at the sky,” she states.

“Especially for those of us residing in the Western Plains and North Western regions, we observe it, yet individuals tend to overlook it.”

“Visitors [from urban areas or abroad] will arrive at an event at the Observatory, and we’ll switch off the lights, leading them to weep as they’ve never encountered a truly dark sky.”

Moreover, she notes, it presents a moment for individuals to contemplate methods to lessen light pollution.

“What individuals can accomplish is consider ways to be more accommodating to the night sky,” she remarks.

“If you happen to be in New York, London, Paris, Beijing, Tokyo, or Seoul, you won’t witness something akin to this, due to excessive illumination.

“Reducing external lighting, brightness, and similar factors, along with minimizing light from dispersing upwards, ensuring light is directed downwards are some approaches to achieving this.”