Astronomy enthusiasts will have their eyes glued to the sky this month. From January 17, the “great planetary parade” will allow several planets to be observed simultaneously, some of them with the naked eye.
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Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will be visible from the start of the parade. Then, around January 21, Uranus and Neptune could also be spotted with the help of a telescope or binoculars, according to Star Walk Astronomy.
This phenomenon, where several planets align on the same side of the Sun, is known as a “planetary configuration” or, more commonly, a “planetary parade”.
Although frequent, the rapprochements between two planets (called conjunctions) do not constitute a parade. The January event is exceptional because it includes almost all visible planets except Earth and Pluto.
-The ideal time: around January 21
Astrophysicist Rebecca Allen recommends scanning the sky around January 21, when the show will be at its peak. On this date, the sky will be even clearer thanks to minimal moonlight.
Con Stoitsis, of the Astronomical Society of Victoria in Australia, adds that this time is also ideal for observing satellites: “If you take the time, you might see half a dozen in an hour. »
Tips for enjoying the show
To ensure you don’t miss anything, a celestial map – available in the form of mobile applications – is a precious help. You can also turn to local astronomical associations or observatories for additional information and advice.
Prepare your binoculars, make yourself comfortable and let yourself be amazed by this rare celestial ballet.
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