Stunning photo captures all eight planets 'for first time' in rare alignment that won't happen again until 2040
A breathtaking photograph taken in the UK could be the first to depict all the planets in our solar system at the one time. The milestone image was captured in Somerset by a UK photographer during an unusual planetary alignment.
Josh Dury, 27, managed to snap the extraordinary sight of the solar system's planets aligning from Mendip Hills on Saturday, February 22. Experts believe this might be the first instance where all eight planets, including Earth, have been photographed together.
This rare celestial occurrence, known as a "planetary parade" happens when Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune align in the night sky. The rare phenomenon is not expected to reoccur until 2040.
READ MORE: Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for all people over State Pension age in Scotland
READ MORE: Tim Spector explains how to beat arthritis by eating one food type three times a day
Josh explained: "I managed to capture a panorama image of the seven planets, AKA - the planetary parade. It is made of nine images, revealing Saturn, Mercury and Neptune.
"However, they were very tricky to spot. I used multiple image analysis and astronomy apps to confirm their location. Since this was taken with a wide-angle lens, the nine images stitched to a panorama and a HDR blend of one of the frames to reveal Saturn, Neptune and Mercury. These three planets are not easy to see at all."
It's uncommon to witness five or six planets aligned in the sky, let alone seven. The best opportunity to observe this spectacle will be after sunset today (Thursday, February 27) and Friday.
The previous planetary alignment occurred in 1982, but cameras at that time lacked the capability to capture all the planets. One expert admitted they were not aware of any.
Dr Edward Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, highlighted the significance of the event, saying: "There's a rare opportunity to have seven planets in essentially a convenient place for you to look for them."
While Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury will be easily seen with the naked eye, Saturn may prove more elusive due to its position closer to the horizon. For those keen on astronomy, breaking out the telescope will allow a glimpse of Uranus and Neptune, completing the planetary lineup.
So when is the best time to witness this rare alignment?
According to the BBC, the most opportune moments will be just after sunset on Thursday, February 27, and Friday, February 28. Observers will need to act swiftly, as the window to view all seven planets will be brief.
Saturn and Mercury are set to descend along with the sun, posing a challenge for stargazers aiming to catch a glimpse of them. Dr Bloomer noted: "You really only have a few minutes after sunset to catch them before they drop below the horizon. After that, you'll still be able to see Venus, Jupiter, and Mars clearly for a much longer time."
For those keen on witnessing the planetary parade, areas free from light pollution offer the best conditions for observing the planets at their brightest. It's worth noting that your eyes need around 30 minutes to adapt to lower light levels, which means avoiding looking at your phone during the event is recommended to maintain night vision.
Scotland is home to numerous rural locales ideal for such astronomical events, free from the glare of city lights. There are even prime viewing spots within reach of urban centres like Glasgow.
The notorious Scottish weather threatens to interfere with planet-spotting but don't fret if you missed out on Wednesday evening, as Thursday is expected to bring clearer skies.
Friday also promises better conditions, offering multiple opportunities to witness this uncommon celestial spectacle.
