In February, we will have the chance of Observe all the planets of the solar system aligned in the night sky.
Venus, Marte, Jupiter e Saturn are already shining at night and, although not visible to the naked eye, Uranus e Neptune They are also in heaven. In the last week of the month, Mercury It will also join them to complete the celestial show.
What is actually a kind of celestial conjunction – An optical illusion that occurs when two or more celestial bodies appear close to the sky, even if they follow separated by thousands of kilometers in space. That is, the planets will not be lined in a straight line while orbiting the sun, they will only appear shining in the sky all the same time.
How to observe the alignment of the planets?
The best time to see all the planets in the sky is right after sunset.
Venus It is the brightest point near the horizon west. Saturn It also appears near him, in this direction, but with less brightness.
Jupiter It is very high in the sky, close to the Taurus constellation. Already Marte It will be in the east direction with its reddish color.
From February 21, Mercury It will appear close to the West Horizon Line right after the sun goes down. However, observing this planet is always challenging, as it is very close to the sun and then puts itself as well.
And although not visible to the naked eye, Uranus e Neptune They are there too. The first can be observed using a good binocular, and is located between Venus and Saturn. The second requires a telescope to be seen, and is located near Jupiter.
A is the best time to try to see them all, but you need to be in a place of good visibility, with the Horizonte unmpeded west.
to help locate and accompany astronomical phenomena in the night sky.
