ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A major planetary alignment is lighting the night sky. Six planets — Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune – are visible now. In late February, they will be joined by Mercury in a rare seven-planet alignment.
The eight major planets of our solar system orbit the sun in the same plane but at different speeds. Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, completes an orbit in 88 days. Venus takes 225 to orbit the sun. Earth’s year is 365 days. Mars takes 687 days, and Jupiter 4,330.6 days. Saturn’s orbit takes 10,755.7 days. Uranus takes 30,687 days to go around the sun. And Neptune takes 60,190 days to make the trip.
The different speeds of the planets mean they can occasionally be roughly lined up on the same side of the sun, as they are now. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are visible to the naked eye, but you’ll need binoculars or a telescope to spot Uranus and Neptune.
UNC Asheville’s Lookout Observatory public stargaze Friday night is sold out. But keep checking its Eventbrite page in case space opens.
In the meantime, Western North Carolina’s numerous backroads offer plenty of places to stargaze. Any clear, cloudless night this month is ideal to check out the planetary show. Find a dark spot, settle in a few hours after sunset and face south.
Tips for stargazing:
- Dress warmly: Even in warmer months, mountain elevations can be chilly at night.
- Use red filters on lights: Preserve night vision by using red filters on flashlights.
- Arrive before sunset: This allows time to set up and acclimate to the surroundings.
- Check weather conditions: Clear skies are essential; always verify the forecast before heading out.
- Get the app: Consider downloading stargazing apps to help with where to look.
Mercury is expected to join the show on Feb. 28.