Well, it’s already begun. The media (social and otherwise) have begun touting another spectacular “planet parade” in the morning sky this week.
This one includes six planets, a dwarf planet and the moon.
Perhaps you recall the last one in June. If you got up early to see it and were disappointed that it looked nothing like it was described, I promise you’re not alone.
I’m sure many others joined in your disappointment.
While it’s always fun to check out the sky, this “event” was hardly what I’d call “spectacular.”
And while there were six planets in that part of the sky, only two of them could be seen with the unaided eye.
In fact, I considered it such a nonevent that I didn’t even write about it here.
But never fear. The hype is beginning anew — this time for a “planet parade” in late August. So this time I decided to say a few words about it.
Yes, it’s true that most of our solar system’s planets now lie in the part of the sky we face during predawn hours.
There’s nothing odd about that — certainly no stranger than watching an auto race with all the cars temporarily on one side of the track.
This will change as each planet orbits the sun at a different speed, and by winter, we’ll see three planets in our evening sky.
It’s also true that these planets formed a line across the morning sky. Again, nothing strange or supernatural about it.
The arc they form is called the “ecliptic,” and represents the geometric plane along which these solar system bodies orbit.
If ever we see the planets not on that arc … well, that would be some extraordinary news!
The “planet parade” this month will include the same planets stretching across the sky from east to west — Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn, with the dwarf planet Eris thrown in for good measure.
At least that’s the way it will be presented to the public by unknowing or less-than-honest sources.
The fact is that only Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be easily visible to the unaided eye.
You might see Mercury, but only if you have a very low eastern horizon and catch it before the morning sky becomes too bright in that direction.
Uranus, Neptune and Eris require a telescope to see.
To add to the “excitement,” the moon passes this group this week as well.
Again, nothing unusual about this. The moon orbits the Earth once a month and appears to pass each planet each cycle.
This month, it will appear just to the east of Saturn on Aug. 21. It will continue to move eastward and will pass by Mars and Jupiter on the morning of Aug. 27.
And, if you’re fortunate enough to catch it, the moon will lie next to the planet Mercury just before sunrise on Sept. 1.
If you’re so inclined, I invite you to set your alarm and get out to see the “planet parade” this week.
If you miss it, don’t be too disappointed. There’ll be another coming in January, and that will occur in the early evening!
