The best stargaze event to watch this August
August is a major moon with stargazing in the Northern Hemisphere and featuring meteor showers, a lineup of rare planets and other celestial highlights.
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Did you miss the start of planetary alignment last week? Well, don’t worry, you still have a few more days to see it before the month begins. But this will be the last chance of the year.
Usually, people can look up at the bright sky and find at least one planet. According to NASA, two or three planets are also generally hanging out in the night sky. But what if you can see four, five or six planets?
Well, from Saturday, August 16th to Wednesday, August 20th, six planets are visible, according to Andrew Fazekas, communications manager for borderless astronomers.
Stargazers, who hopes all planets will see “a very short window of time” to do so, Fazeka said. Mercury becomes more difficult the farther you reach until the end of August, so there are only a few of the planets that can be seen by the naked eye.
Here’s what you need to know about planet alignments, also known as planet parades and planet parades, and what you need to see:
Stargazer has another opportunity to see the planetary parade
The Planetary Parade, where all six planets are aligned, began on August 10th. They include Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus.
For the person behind, According to Fazekas, from August 16th to August 20th to August 20th to August 20th, it will be important for those who are afraid to miss it.
Starting August 19th and August 20th, the crescent moon, along with Jupiter and Venus, will become a “great guide post” that will help people find planets, Facus adds.
According to Star Walk, the Planet Parade will be visible around 45 minutes before sunset, and the next parade will not take place until February 28, 2026.
What can you see?
Six of the seven planets visible from Earth will be the night sky if you are looking at the right time.
“Of course, if you have binoculars or telescopes on hand, you can actually see everything,” Fazekas said.
You can see the next planet during the planet parade.
- mercury– It is visible to the naked eye, but binoculars make it easier to spot.
- Venus– Seen with the naked eye.
- Jupiter– Seen with the naked eye.
- Uranus– Binoculars are required to see this planet.
- Neptune– You may need a small telescope to see this planet.
- Saturn– Seen with the naked eye.
What does the planet look like?
Fazekas asks you to become Stargazers to be wary of what is now seen online, especially as content created by AI becomes more prominent.
Fazekas worries people are “hoping too much.” Because when you’re talking about a planetary parade, people say, “Oh, I’m going to see all these planets together. I can’t believe I see all these things” And really, untrained eyes, planets… just look like bright stars. ”
What is Planet Parade?
According to Fazekas and NASA, when people call it a planetary alignment or parade, multiple planets become visible in the night sky. They can create optical illusions that appear to have straight lines.
True planet alignment is “virtually impossible.”
“The term planetary parade is a colloquial term, not an official astronomical term,” Fazekas said. “That simply means that planets generally appear in the same area of the sky.”
What equipment do I need to see the Planet Parade?
Certain planets are only visible through binoculars or small telescopes.
Those interested in purchasing equipment should avoid telescopic features below $500 and choose Celestron, Robert Lunsford, the American Meteor Association newsletter editor and fireball report coordinator.
He recommends beginners to opt for a telescope with a lens instead of a mirror, and for those looking for a more affordable option, he recommends buying a pair of binoculars instead.
Tips for watching planet parade
Fazekas advises people to do the following as they try to see the planet in the next few days:
- Get up early before sunrise. Stay in a starry sky where you are ready to see the planet at least 45 minutes before the sun rises.
- Find a place with a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern and southern horizons.
- Avoid mild pollution and stay away from the city.
- You are ready to see planets that are invisible to the naked eye with your binoculars or telescopes.
- Use star gauging apps such as Stellarium or Sky Safari.
Also, pack in mosquito repellents and check the weather in advance to make sure the sky is clear.
Contributions: Carly Prokul, Janet Loafke. USA TODAY
Julia is a trend reporter for USA Today. Connect with her LinkedIn,x, Instagram and TiktokPlease email: @juliamariegz or jgomez @gannett.com
