Six Planets to Dazzle in January’s ‘Parade of Planets’

Get ready for a celestial spectacle, Zimbabwe! This January, skywatchers will have a front-row seat to a rare and magnificent sight: a parade of six planets.

That’s right, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will all be visible in the night sky throughout the month. This is an incredible opportunity to witness the wonders of our solar system firsthand.

What is a planetary parade?

A planetary parade, also known as a planetary alignment, occurs when several planets appear to line up in the sky from our perspective here on Earth. This happens because of the planets’ positions in their orbits around the sun. As they travel around the sun at different speeds, they sometimes create the illusion of being close together.

The good news is that you don’t have to wait for a specific night to catch this cosmic show. The entire month of January is prime viewing time for the planetary parade. However, the exact timing and visibility of the planets will vary depending on your location.

Here’s a breakdown of when you can expect to see each planet in Harare, Zimbabwe:

• Venus: Visible throughout the night
• Mars: Visible throughout the night
• Jupiter: Visible throughout the night
• Saturn: Visible throughout the night
• Uranus: Best viewed with binoculars after sunset
• Neptune: Best viewed with a telescope after sunset

To see the planets, you simply need a clear view of the night sky after sunset. The four brightest planets – Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – will be visible to the naked eye. They will appear as steady points of light, unlike twinkling stars.

For a closer look at Uranus and Neptune, you’ll need some extra equipment. Binoculars will be sufficient for Uranus, while Neptune will require a telescope.

The planetary parade is a sight that can be enjoyed by people all over Africa. So, gather your friends and family, head outside on a clear night, and look up! You might just witness a celestial event that you’ll never forget.

For those who want more specific information, here’s a guide:

• Mercury: Rises at 04:47, sets at 17:56, reaches its highest point at 11:21. Difficult to see.
• Venus: Rises at 09:00, sets at 21:13, reaches its highest point at 15:07. Great visibility.
• Mars: Rises at 18:04, sets at 04:56, reaches its highest point at 23:30. Perfect visibility.
• Jupiter: Rises at 14:54, sets at 01:59, reaches its highest point at 20:26. Perfect visibility.
• Saturn: Rises at 08:49, sets at 21:11, reaches its highest point at 15:00. Average visibility.
• Uranus: Rises at 13:33, sets at 00:47, reaches its highest point at 19:10. Average visibility.
• Neptune: Rises at 09:36, sets at 21:44, reaches its highest point at 15:40. Very difficult to see.

With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy the wonders of the planetary parade in January. So, don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the universe from your own backyard!