Pluto surrounded by shooting stars, visible all night

A unique opportunity to enjoy a rare show. The date to mark is July 20day when the dwarf planet of the solar system will be found front side to the Sun. It will be too perigee, that is, at the minimum distance from Earth. A perfect position to observe with the telescope most of the night.

An event somewhat reminiscent of the Night of San Lorenzo, because wishes can be made. Plus, you can enjoy beautiful alpha Cignid meteors at their peak. Pluto is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, a donut-shaped region of icy bodies beyond Neptune’s orbit.

Pluto is only visible with a special telescope, given its remoteness and weak brightness. The special episode of the night of July 20, the dwarf planet will be in front of the sun and at the minimum distance from planet Earth. All this will make it particularly visible. In Italy, the celestial body is observable from 11:45 PM to 2:50 AM. The uniqueness of the event lies in the fact that when it faces the sun, on the other side it will be in perigee at the same time. So it will show itself in its full glory on July 20 at 1 a.m.

In contrast, when Pluto is in front of the sun in the sky, Earth moves between it and our star. So the solar system is aligned with Pluto and the Earth on the same side of the sun. However, the event does not end its splendor here, because in the same hours the shooting stars alpha Cignidae they will be at their peak. This year, the all-night radiant is at its peak at 2.00 at nearly 85° above the horizon.

The Alpha Cignids will be active throughout July and at their peak between July 19 and 20, excluding the hours before sunrise. Well, it will be easy to enjoy the extraordinary opportunity that Mother Nature offers us. Pluto will be surrounded by shooting stars, so let’s prepare a wish!