Every Planet In the Solar System Will Be Visible Tonight

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Space.com: Take a grand tour of the solar system tonight (Dec. 28) as each of the planets in the solar system will be visible at the same time. As 2022 comes to an end, skywatchers can take in the rare sight of all of the planets in our solar system (aside from Earth) together in the sky. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are all currently visible simultaneously with the naked eye. The two outermost planets, Uranus and Neptune, can meanwhile be observed with binoculars or a telescope.

The five planets visible with the naked eye -- Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars, in that order -- will line up in the sky starting from the southwestern horizon. Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system, will be difficult to see with the eye, but it's possible if dark sky conditions are right. Uranus, visible only through binoculars or a telescope, can be found between Mars and Jupiter, while Neptune will be visible through optics between Saturn and Jupiter. The Virtual Telescope Project is hosting a free "grand tour of the solar system" livestream starting at 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT) on Wednesday (Dec. 28). The live webcast is also available on their YouTube channel.

The report notes that this "grand tour" happens roughly every one to two years, on average. "In June 2022, skywatchers were treated to five planets -- Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn -- arranged in a rare alignment the likes of which hadn't occurred since 1864," the report adds.

Was out watching it

[jfdavis668]

Just as sunset approached, a bit of cloud came in from the west. We were able to spot Mercury and Venus between bands, and Saturn, Jupiter and Mars were still in the clear. The clouds made finding the planets a pain, but it turned into one of the best sunsets I ever watched. Beautiful orange colors to the clouds. I took some good pictures, but they still don't due it justice. Sometimes nature just surprises you. (in Pennsylvania, BTW)

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[dbialac]

We were able to spot Mercury and Venus between band

Who was playing? Were they any good?

Dang

[SuperKendall]

Totally cloudy where I am, shame as I would have liked to take a glimpse!

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[Anonymous Coward]

I'm an astronaut in the ISS you insensitive clod!

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[Anonymous Coward]

Because if they wrote "the rare sight of all of the planets in our solar system together in the sky.", some other pedantic person like yourself would comment "You can't see Earth in the sky!"

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[invictusvoyd]

I had similar experience when I mixed port wine with dark rum .

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[Roger W Moore]

Because if they wrote "the rare sight of all of the planets in our solar system together in the sky."

So why not just write "the rare sight of all the planets in the solar system together"? It's simpler, completely correct and does not strangely single out the Earth.

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[clawsoon]

You just have to jump. Then you'll be in the sky, and you can see Earth - now also in the sky - by looking down.

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[Tablizer]

I suppose you two are making a visit to the asstrophysics lab.

Dammit, everything gets hacked!

[Tablizer]

Now the goddam planets have been leaked to everyone. This is why we can't have good Solar Systems.

Sounds like astrology

[rossdee]

" Uranus, visible only through binoculars or a telescope, can be found between Mars and Jupiter"

I thought the asteroid belt was between Mars and Jupiter...

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[cellocgw]

On the off chance you were serious, here's ELU5 :

When you look up at the night sky, you are not sensing distance; only the theta and phi angles for each object. Uranus' angular position puts it on a line between the angular positions of Mars and Jupiter.

Pluto?

[andyring]

What about poor 'ol Pluto?

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[jfdavis668]

Pluto was right beside Venus and Mercury last night. Didn't see it though...

Thanks

[JThundley]

Thanks for telling me I missed something cool a day after it happened.

Dark skies not required

[gmiller123456]

Even though Mercury will be low contrast in the twilight, dark skies free of city lights will not help. I was able to pick out Mercury (and the rest) last night viewed directly over downtown Louisville, Ky.

Even got a photo:
https://m.facebook.com/story.p... [facebook.com]

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[ayesnymous]

I don't even see what the line for Mercury is pointing at, unless it's that small speck of light right on the edge of the building.

Planets ask for some privacy

[Fons_de_spons]

Recently it has come to our attention that the 7 planets are exposed for everyone to see in the sky. As a representative for these planets we request that no one takes pictures of them while they are in this vulnerable position. Spreading such pictures for everyone to see will be met with takedown notices and will be pursuit in court if necessary. Thank you for being considerate.
The 7 planetes agree to speak about their privacy issues in a new Netflix documentary titled: I am Uranus! comming in 2023. Stay

Unbalanced

[Badja]

If all the planets in the solar system are on one side, will the solar system tip over?