From October 8 to October 20 of this year, Earth’s inhabitants will be able to observe a planetary parade.
A minor planetary parade is considered one of the most enchanting astronomical phenomena. During this event, several planets of our Solar System are located on one side of the Sun within a small sector. In the sky, these celestial bodies will appear relatively close to each other. The main participants of this year’s event will be Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and the Moon. The parade begins on October 8, when the natural satellite of Earth approaches the group of planets in the morning sky. The phenomenon ends on October 20, when Mercury breaks the “line” and disappears into the morning solar glare, according to inforesist.org.
Astronomers say the best time to observe the event is under clear weather conditions approximately two hours before sunrise. At this time, the minor planetary parade can be seen with the naked eye. As for Russia, the most favorable location for observations is the Caucasus Mountains. The sky there is known for its clarity, and autumn typically brings clear weather. The best viewing effect is achieved at altitudes of at least 2,000 meters.
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It should be noted that planetary parades are sometimes attributed with mystical and pseudoscientific properties. Some associate the phenomenon with the end of the world, while others even claim that “aliens might arrive” during this time to save humanity from disaster. One such pseudoscientific theory, incidentally, became the basis for the plot of the disaster film “2012.” Scientists, however, believe there is no connection whatsoever between planetary parades and catastrophes occurring on Earth.
Minor and major planetary parades are distinguished. In the first case, four planets of the Solar System appear on one side of the Sun within a small sector; in the second case, six. During a major planetary parade, the planets involved are Venus, Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and Uranus.
A planetary parade can also be “visible” or “invisible.” A visible parade refers to a configuration in which Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn noticeably converge on the celestial sphere and can be simultaneously observed within a small sector.
On March 10, 1982, Earth’s inhabitants witnessed a very rare phenomenon: at that time, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all ended up on one side of the Sun within a sector of 95 degrees. All nine planets of our system were aligned (Pluto was still considered a “full-fledged” planet at the time). A major planetary parade can be observed approximately once every 20 years.
