3 tips from an astronomy enthusiast to capture this moment

Six planets will be visible this week, including four to the naked eye aligned approximately on the same axis. Philippe Lenoble, passionate about astronomy, gives us his advice for enjoying this spectacle of the planets.

Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune… These six planets will align approximately on the same axis during the nights of January 20 to 25 and four will be visible to the naked eye! Philippe Lenoble explains to us how to immortalize this unique moment.

“You have to get out of the city and get to the heights” according to him, to avoid light pollution which affects 85% of French territory, according to the National Biodiversity Observatory. He, who lives in Sedan, says he goes less than twenty kilometers from his town to be able to look at the sky in the countryside.

And for city dwellers who cannot leave their city: “you may be lucky enough to see the show after 10 p.m. or midnight, as some cities turn off the lights” he enthuses.

“To find your way, you can use an application like Stellantis” suggests the amateur astronomer. This type of application allows you to identify the different constellations on which you can use to find the stars. “The application will allow you to position yourself towards the south to observe the planets.” he explains.

To capture the light with your camera, the observer advises “increase the ISO and focus the focus on Venus”the brightest planet. Be careful, you have to wait until “the sky is very dark”. From 7 p.m., you will be able to see the planets.

Even with his advice, the weather remains the determining factor: “we have to hope that the fog clears to observe the sky.”

Tags France