The Story of Planetary Alignment
On the night of January 25th, multiple planets in our solar system will be visible together in the sky. However, several misconceptions and strange viral posts are circulating on social media, claiming that all planets of the solar system will align in a straight line in front of the Sun—a phenomenon that allegedly occurs once every few thousand years. Let’s uncover the truth behind this celestial event.
1. Appearance vs. Reality
When planets appear aligned in the sky from Earth’s perspective, they are not physically in a straight line in space in front of the Sun. Each planet remains in its respective orbit, positioned at various distances and angles. What creates the illusion of alignment is our perspective from Earth, where they seem to form an approximate straight line in the sky.
2. Visibility of All Planets
It is not possible to observe all the planets with the naked eye. Uranus and Neptune, even if present in the sky, cannot be seen without a telescope.
3. Duration of Visibility
On January 25th, not all planets will be visible simultaneously for the entire night. In fact, the opportunity to observe all of them together will last for a very brief time.
For instance, the planet Mercury will be the hardest to spot. It will set shortly after sunset, making it nearly impossible to see. Similarly, Venus and Saturn will also set soon after sunset—Saturn by 8:45 PM and Venus by 9:15 PM. Both can be observed briefly in the southwest or west before they disappear below the horizon.
Due to its low position near the horizon, Saturn will appear dim, while Venus will provide a clearer view.
Jupiter will already be visible in the eastern sky at sunset, but the best time to observe it is around 9 PM when it will be almost directly overhead. Mars will rise slightly north of due east at sunset and will also be near the zenith around 9 PM, slightly northeast. Jupiter will remain visible until 3 AM, and Mars can be observed until sunrise.
For Uranus and Neptune, a telescope is essential. Uranus will be located near Jupiter, slightly to the west (at approximately the 3 o’clock position), while Neptune will be near Venus, at about the 10 o’clock position.
4. Not a Rare Phenomenon
While January 25th presents a good opportunity to observe planetary alignments, it is neither exceptionally rare nor unique. Even more spectacular alignments (planet parades) have been observed in the past and will continue to occur in the future.
5. No Negative Impacts
Lastly, the appearance of planets together in the sky has no adverse effects on human life, health, or Earth’s climate. Such alignments are purely visual phenomena with no scientific basis for the superstitions often associated with them.
Conclusion
Avoid falling prey to strange, negative, or sensationalized viral rumors. Instead, enjoy this celestial event with peace of mind. Marvel at the beauty of the cosmos and witness the enchanting sight of the planets parading across the night sky.
Written by Dr. Ahmed Naeem
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