AN incredibly rare occurrence will be visible in the sky this weekend.
On February 27, the crescent moon will be aligned with Venus and Mars, the two closest planets to Earth.
Mercury and Saturn could also be visible along with the other planets and the waning moon, according to Space.com.
The rare phenomenon will be visible pre-dawn, meaning anyone who wants to see it will need to get up early to catch a glimpse of the incredible sight.
Mercury and Saturn should also be visible on February 28, according to Space.com.
Read our rare moon alignment blog for the latest news and updates…
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Order of the planets, continued
When it comes to our social system's planets, the last four are massive compared to the four inner planets, and are made of gasses like hydrogen, helium, and nitrogen.
Jupiter and Saturn are often called the Gas Giants, while Uranus and Neptune are called the Ice Giants.
It is thought they probably all have solid cores.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Order of the planets
The planets in our solar system are usually ordered by their distance from the Sun, with Mercury being the closest.
Half of the eight planets are known as the terrestrial, or inner, planets – with Mercury being closest to the Sun, followed by Venus, Earth, and then Mars.
The other half are the Jovian, or Jupiter-like planets. In order of distance from the Sun, these are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Is there a ninth planet?
Pluto was once called the ninth planet in our solar system, but the International Astronomical Union made some category changes in 2006 and Pluto became a minor, or dwarf, planet.
The main reason for this decision is that Pluto’s wild-card orbit crosses the orbit of Neptune.
However, the idea of a ninth planet has persisted, and astronomers are now searching for Planet X, or Planet Nine, after mathematical evidence from 2016.
Planet Nine is thought to be five thousand times the mass of Pluto and 10 times the mass of Earth, and to orbit beyond Neptune.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
How many planets are there?
There are actually a minimum of 100 billion planets in our universe, according to a Nasa study.
As far as our solar system, there are eight planets in it.
Our solar system, which is part of the Milky Way, also includes Pluto, which was once called the ninth planet in our solar system.
But the International Astronomical Union made some category changes in 2006 and Pluto became a minor, or dwarf, planet.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Mars might be tricky
Mars, which rises about 90 minutes before the sun in February, will likely appear as a tiny speck of light when stargazers try to spot it with Venus and the Moon during the alignment.
Experts suggest people use binoculars to help them spot the red planet more easily.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Venus shines bright
Of the two planets aligning with the moon this Saturday, Venus will be the brightest.
In February, especially, Venus is at its brightest as its crescent thickens from 16 percent sunlit to 38 percent.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
How to see them all
The crescent moon will be aligned with Venus and Mars, the two closest planets to Earth, on February 27, and Mercury and Saturn should also be visible on February 28, according to Space.com.
To see the Moon, Mars, and Venus align, stargazers will need to get up at least an hour before sunrise (6:34 am EST).
Experts also suggest waiting about 30 minutes after dawn as some lucky skywatchers might also get to see Saturn and Mercury become visible to the lower-left of the trio.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Degrees of separation
The Moon be 14 percent lit in a waning crescent as it's joined by the full set of Earth's closest neighboring planets in a rare alignment.
Venus will be able about 4 degrees away from Mars, which will be around 3.5 degrees above the Moon.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
When to watch
The crescent moon will be aligned with Venus and Mars, the two closest planets to Earth, on February 27.
Mercury and Saturn should also be visible on February 28, according to Space.com.
Anyone who wants to see the Moon, Mars, and Venus align will need to get up at least an hour before sunrise (6:34 am EST), because that's when the planets will be most visible.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Which planets are aligning?
On February 27, the crescent moon will be aligned with Venus and Mars, the two closest planets to Earth.
In addition, Mercury and Saturn could also be visible along with the other planets and the waning moon, according to Space.com.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Where will they align?
The Moon, Venus, and Mars can be found in the constellation Sagittarius.
It is located in the Southern celestial hemisphere.
Plus, Mercury and Saturn could also be visible along with the other planets and the waning moon, according to Space.com.
- Josie Rhodes Cook
Rare display
The Moon aligns with Venus and Mars this weekend in a rare astronomical display.
All three celestial bodies will be on display on February 27, according to Space.com.
Source: Read Full Article