In July 2020, it will be possible to observe the so-called parade of planets.The planets of the Solar System will be accommodated
What is a parade of planets and how often does it happen?
A planetary parade is a phenomenon in which planets (all or several) "line up" in the same direction and seem to form aIn fact, this term is not so much astronomical as everyday.
A parade of planets is a fairly frequent phenomenon, notes that the same one as now happens once every twenty years.However, there is no specific period when the planets most often line up in this order.At the same time, it often happens that this phenomenon can be observed in one part of the globe, while in another it is not visible at all.
Position of planets July 27 2020
How does the parade of planets affect the Earth?
There are theories that the parade of planets affects the Earth, its core - due to the fact that gravity increases.
However, scientists do not confirm this guess.According to Oleg Ugolnikov, a senior researcher at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the impact of all the planets on us at once is weaker than Jupiter alone - they are so smaller and far away. And the influence of Jupiter is much weaker than that of the Moon.
The impact on the sun is also negligible. Moreover, Venus influences more than Saturn, and is second only to Jupiter. It is smaller, but much closer to our star.
Also a source of misconception are the worksBritish astrophysicist John Gribbin. In 1973, he published a paper in Nature linking the great alignment of the planets, which occurs every 179 years, to climate change. He argued that tidal force increases the activity of the Sun, which in turn affects the earth's atmosphere. A few years later, he predicted that after the great parade of planets in 1982, a strong earthquake would begin in the United States and the San Andreas Fault would become active.
The scientific community was skeptical about such theories.
What opportunities does the parade of planets open up for researchers?
As Ugolnikov notes, the next eighththe decade provides absolutely exceptional opportunities for launching automatic stations towards the distant planets of the solar system - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. The relative position of these planets will be favorable so that one interplanetary station can sequentially pass near several planets, using their attraction for the so-called perturbation maneuver, which will not only direct the station to the next planet, requiring almost no fuel consumption, but will also reduce the flight time.
For example, in 1977, the device was launchedVoyager 2, which passed near Jupiter in 1979, near Saturn in 1981, reached Uranus in 1986, and Neptune in 1989. He is now on the outskirts of the solar system in interstellar space.
What can be seen at the upcoming parade of planets?
In the current parade, you can see everything at onceplanets, most - with the naked eye. By the way, the Earth also participates in it. From July 22, Mercury will also appear above the horizon, but it will be possible to notice it only in the south.
How the planets will be located during the parade
The best time to observe this phenomenonthere will be hours before dawn - around two o'clock in the morning. If you look at the sky in the morning, the planets will be above the horizon, the Sun below them. It will be possible to photograph all the planets at once only in the south in good weather with an all-sky camera, otherwise they won’t fit. Only Jupiter and Saturn are close to each other.
Now everywhere, where there is no polar day, white nights, there is a parade of planets in the sky. You will need a telescope to see Uranus and Neptune. It will help to see at the same time the bright comet C / 2020 F3 (NEOWISE).
What can be seen with the naked eye?
Uranus and Neptune to see with the naked eyenot, but Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter can be seen without special devices, since the planets are bright enough. But it is better to leave the city, there will be a better view, since the light from the city lights interferes with observing the night sky.
Author: ESO / Y
Exactly which planets will be able to seeobservers, depends largely on latitude. For example, in St. Petersburg and Moscow it will not be possible to see Mercury, since it rises with the Sun and is lost in its light. The southern countries are more fortunate, where the angle of sunrise is not so flat, so it will not be illuminated so much, and you can see Mercury.
In Moscow, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be clearly visible at night, while the inhabitants of the capital will be able to observe Venus only in the predawn hours.
Residents of the northern territories are unlucky; the period of the polar day or white nights has not yet ended there.
Read also:
Look at the 3D map of the Universe: it was compiled for 20 years and it has already surprised scientists
Look at beetle larvae: they can save the planet from plastic by destroying it
How do we age? Scientists have a new explanation