Everyone is used to seeing the Solar System or the universe in books, videos or in some science programs. Often, books depict the eight planets all lined up in a row. Indeed, it's rare to see them in such a formation, but there could be times when they do align in the night sky.
That is what would happen this week as five planets will become visible to the naked eye. These planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. And they will appear simultaneously in the night sky this coming Sunday, July 19.
Although some people might have already glimpsed Venus or Jupiter before, this will be an excellent opportunity to see a few of the eight planets at the same time.
How to see the five planets and the moon without a telescope
On Sunday, July 19, try to wake up early about 45 minutes before sunrise. That is the time when the five planets will become visible along with the crescent moon even without using a telescope.
Dr. Jeffrey Hunt, an astronomy professor and former planetarium director, posted on his site called "When the Curves Line Up" some tips for finding each planet.
Venus, he says, will shine bright in the eastern sky. Meanwhile, the thin crescent moon will be very low in the east-northeast part of the sky and will only shine about 1%. Mercury, on the other hand, will be to the right side of the moon as Mars will be about halfway up in the south-southeast part of the sky.
Moreover, looking at the southwest horizon, anyone would see Jupiter as well as Saturn, which is located to the upper left of Jupiter.
Although telescopes are not necessary to see the planets, Hunt advises anyone who wants to see the moon, Mercury and Jupiter to use binoculars to help them. In case anyone misses out this opportunity, they may still see the five planets in the sky for a few mornings this month, but no longer with the moon.
"On successive mornings, look 3-4 minutes earlier each day," Hunt advises. "You may catch (the five planets) in the sky until about July 25."
Furthermore, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto can also be spotted in the sky between Venus and Jupiter this month. However, a telescope might be needed to do that. As NASA points out, for those who want to see Jupiter's moons- Europa, Ganymede, Io, and Callisto--using binoculars would be a great help.
The 'Great Conjunction of 2040' and December's 'Great Solstice Conjunction'
On December 21, 2020, the "Great Solstice Conjunction" will happen in the night of the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Although it only involves two planets, they will be the two biggest ones in the Solar System- Jupiter and Saturn.
They pass just 0.06º from each other and will be visible shining almost as one after the sunset in the west. Conjunction happens every 19.6 years, but this December's conjunction is going to be the closest since 1623.
Moreover, another "Great conjunction" or "Golden conjunction" will happen on September 8, 2040. That is when Mars, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter will be visible in the night sky 10º apart.
