Rare ‘Planet Parade’ too Coincide with Solar Eclipse During Fall Equinox
A spectacular celestial alignment – a “planet parade” featuring five visible planets – will grace the skies alongside a partial solar eclipse on the day of the Fall Equinox,September 22nd,offering a rare and stunning astronomical display. Skywatchers across North and Central America will be uniquely positioned to witness both events, creating a memorable astronomical occasion.
This confluence of events is notably noteworthy as planet parades are not uncommon, but their visibility and simultaneous occurrence with a solar eclipse are infrequent. The alignment will see Mercury, venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn appearing in a line in the eastern sky before sunrise. The partial solar eclipse,visible across a wide swath of the Americas,will occur later in the day,adding another layer of wonder to the equinox. Experts predict optimal viewing conditions for the planet parade will be in the hours before sunrise, while the eclipse will peak at different times depending on location.
The Fall Equinox marks the astronomical start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere, signifying a time of balance between day and night. This year, that balance is amplified by the planetary alignment and the solar eclipse. The five planets will appear as bright “stars” clustered together, easily visible to the naked eye. Mercury will be the lowest on the horizon, followed by Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and finally Saturn.
The partial solar eclipse will occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking a portion of the Sun’s light.Observers within the path of the eclipse will see the Moon take a “bite” out of the Sun. It is crucial to use proper eye protection, such as certified solar viewing glasses or a handheld solar viewer, when observing a solar eclipse. Looking directly at the Sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious and permanent eye damage.
According to NASA, the visibility of the planet parade will depend on clear skies and a dark viewing location away from city lights.The eclipse path will stretch from western Canada through the United States, Mexico, and into parts of South America. Detailed eclipse maps and timing data are available on NASA’s eclipse website (https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/).