UAE: 5 planets to line up in cosmic spectacle on March 28

Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars will be visible in sky shortly after sunset

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Photo used for illustrative purpose
by

Angel Tesorero

Published: Fri 17 Mar 2023, 7:16 PM

Last updated: Sat 18 Mar 2023, 6:32 PM

Heads up, UAE sky watchers! A large planetary alignment is happening on March 28, as five planets, including Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars are expected to line up together in a small section of the sky shortly after sunset.

Among the five planets, Venus is expected to be the brightest while Mercury and Jupiter will be noticeable near the horizon and Uranus can be the toughest to spot.

The planetary objects will not exactly form a literal straight line but they will be visible (plus the moon) in almost an arc shape as seen from Earth.

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What’s more exciting, according to astronomers, is that this planetary alignment can be observed even without any special equipment. Binoculars, however, will be needed to spot Uranus.

The celestial spectacle happening on March 28 is called large planetary alignment, when 5 to 6 planets gather closely on one side of the Sun at the same time. The last time the phenomenon took place was in June 2022.

If you miss it on March 28, there are still several planetary alignments visible from Earth in the coming months:

  • April 11 – alignment of Mercury, Uranus, Venus and Mars
  • April 24 – alignment of Mercury, Uranus, Venus and Mars
  • May 29 – alignment of Uranus, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn
  • June 17 – alignment of Mercury, Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn
  • July 26 – alignment of Mercury, Venus and Mars
  • August 24 – mini alignment of setting Mercury and Mars and rising Saturn

angel@khaleejtimes.com

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Angel Tesorero

Published: Fri 17 Mar 2023, 7:16 PM

Last updated: Sat 18 Mar 2023, 6:32 PM

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