As Earth and other planets they make their own journey around the Sun, it is not uncommon to see some of our neighbors dancing in pairs in the sky. Sometimes a third party joins. But it is very rare to see a planetary alignment formed by none other than four planets. For this reason, what will happen in the sky this April will be special. And that’s what from April 17 we can see beyond the horizon from dawn to Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn forming an almost perfect line, to which the Moon will timidly join.

Everything will start on April 17, although the best day to see them would be 20th of this month, when all the components of this planetary alignment will be most visible. In places in the northern hemisphere, such as Spain, it is enough to look to the southeast. And in the southern hemisphere to the northeast. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope, although logically you will have a clearer view of the planets with them.

As for the moon, it will April 23 when it is most in line with the planetary alignment. It will be in the last quarter, it is still very clearly visible, but it will not interfere with the display of the planets, but will make it even more beautiful. It’s worth getting up early to see something like this.

Capture of Stellarium. The alignment of the planets next to the Moon on April 23 in Spain.

Planetary alignment exclusivity

This planetary alignment is not unique in history, far from it. From time to time they can be placed in the sky four planets almost in a straight linelike this time Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn. However, this is quite rare.

In fact, as reported in Science Alertit just happened three times since 2005. It doesn’t look like star Rainthat if you miss one, another may appear in a few months, and if not the same, then in just a year. As a rule, you have to wait longer to see such an alignment of the planets, so it is worth writing down the date on the calendar.

Another great planetary rift will occur in June

Although, to be honest, this year 2022 will be special because in just two months we will have a great planetary alignment again. In particular, this will happen June 24when all the planets in the solar system line up in the sky. Let’s remember that Pluto doesn’t count anymore and that, logically, Earth does too, so they will Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Of course, unlike April’s planetary alignment, this will require binoculars, as Uranus and Neptune can be hard to see with the naked eye.

If you are an astrophotographer, brace yourself because now you will have a beautiful sky to photograph. And if you have no idea about photographing the sky, but love to look at it, indulge yourself with it. This is a terrible year in many ways, but at least the firmament of heaven will give us a special occasion from time to time.

Source: Hiper Textual

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