Residents of Kazakhstan have the opportunity to witness an incredible astronomical event – a planetary parade. Astrophysicist Viktor Teifel shared recommendations with Tengri Life on how to best observe this spectacle and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
According to NASA, a planetary parade is characterized by the "alignment" of planets, allowing multiple ones to be seen simultaneously in the night sky. The expert noted that no special equipment is necessary to observe this phenomenon, but it's important to choose the right location and consider certain details. It’s best to find a spot with minimal light pollution.
"Go to an open area where the horizon is as visible as possible. If you are in Almaty, find a location with a view of the mountains and the night sky above them. It’s there that you’ll be able to see the planets lined up one after the other. Just enjoy the sight – no special methods of observation are required. If you have a telescope, you can take a closer look at planets like Mars or Jupiter," said Viktor Teifel.
While the planetary parade can be observed with the naked eye, the astrophysicist claims that not all planets will be visible without special equipment. For instance, the bright planets Venus, Mars, and Jupiter are easily distinguishable in the night sky, but a telescope is needed to observe Uranus.
"More distant planets, such as Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, are harder to see. Pluto, which is no longer classified as a planet, can only be discerned with a powerful telescope. The brightest planets visible to the naked eye include Venus, sometimes Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Uranus cannot be seen without a telescope," the scientist explained.
The planetary parade can be observed throughout Kazakhstan, although their positions in the sky will vary slightly depending on the region. Astrophysicist Viktor Teifel explained that in some areas, such as the south, the planets will appear higher in the sky, while in northern regions, they will be slightly lower. Nevertheless, the phenomenon remains observable from any corner of the country.
"The farther south the observer is, the higher the planets rise above the horizon. For example, if you're observing from Northern Kazakhstan, the planets will be visible just like in Almaty, but a bit lower on the horizon. The difference in latitude, for instance in the Petropavlovsk area, is about 10–12 degrees. Consequently, the planets will be positioned 12–15 degrees lower than in Almaty. Nevertheless, this phenomenon can be seen from any region of the country," noted Viktor Teifel.
Previously, we wrote about the features of this rare astronomical event. You can read more about it and its characteristics in this article.