How do we observe the alignment of the planets with simple binoculars on Monday evening?

orange with 6 media, Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 7:05 pm

Five planets in the solar system will line up in the sky on Monday, May 29. A phenomenon that can be observed using simple binoculars.

This astronomical phenomenon is not rare, but it is always very amazing.

On Monday night, May 29, Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, Mercury, and Uranus will line up in the sky, and you won’t need a telescope to spot them. Simple binoculars suffice, he points out CNews.

A spectacle that adds to the phenomena that made May this month a period rich in celestial events, with meteor showers and the supermoon of Venus observed on May 16th. It will be possible to see the five planets one hour before sunrise on Monday, around 5 am.

Find an open area free of light pollution

This planetary alignment occurs when several planets, at the same time, approach one side of the sun. To better observe the phenomenon, it will be necessary to bring binoculars and locate the planets, in the 70° sector of the sky. Once Saturn is in place, it will appear first, followed by Neptune, Jupiter, Mercury, and finally Uranus. The distance between them should be 10 degrees.

To increase your chances of observing this celestial event, it is advised to prefer a place where the sky is dark, free of light pollution and where the view is clear at the level of the horizon, so as not to be disturbed by the presence of trees. or tall buildings. There are apps, such as Sky Tonight or Sky Safari, to help you find your way up in the sky and identify planets.