The Big Parade of Planets: why millions of people will be watching the sky in August
The big parade of planets will be one of the main astronomical events of August 2026. In the predawn hours, several planets can be seen in the sky at the same time, and if the weather is favorable, observations can be combined with the maximum of the Perseid meteor shower. When and where it is best to observe this phenomenon and why astronomers do not associate it with mystical events — in the material of Izvestia.
The Big Parade of Planets in August 2026: when and at what time will it begin
August 2026 will present astronomy lovers with several bright celestial events at once. One of the most anticipated will be a large parade of planets, which can be observed on the morning of August 12. On this day, six planets of the Solar system will be on the same side of the Sun and will simultaneously be above the horizon, creating the effect of lining up in one line.
Despite the common name, the term "parade of planets" is practically not used in the scientific literature. Astronomers talk about planetary alignment or configuration of planets. This is not about the fact that celestial bodies are actually located on the same straight line in space, but only about the visual effect for an observer on Earth when several planets appear in the same sector of the sky.
For residents of the European part of Russia, it is better to start observations about 1.5–2 hours before sunrise. In Moscow, this corresponds to the period from 03:30 to 05:30, and the most favorable conditions will develop around 04:30-05:00, when most of the "participants" of the parade will already rise above the horizon, but the sky will still remain quite dark. The specific time may vary slightly depending on the region and local conditions of observation.
The peculiarity of the August parade is also that the Perseid meteor shower will reach its maximum almost simultaneously, so if the weather is favorable, observers will be able to see several beautiful astronomical phenomena in one night.
Which planets will be included in the big parade of planets
According to astronomers, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will participate in the August alignment. However, the observation conditions will vary for each planet.
It is best to see Jupiter, Mars and Saturn with the naked eye. These planets have high brightness and are usually clearly distinguishable even in moderate urban illumination.
Mercury will be more difficult. It will be low over the eastern horizon shortly before dawn, so it will require an open horizon without houses, trees, or other obstacles to observe.
Uranus and Neptune will become even more complex objects. Their brilliance is insufficient for confident observation without optical instruments. To distinguish between these planets, experts recommend using at least powerful binoculars, or even better, a small telescope.
It should be borne in mind that visually the planets will not line up in a perfectly even line. They will be located on a fairly large area of the sky above the horizon. That is why "parade of planets" is considered a popular name rather than a scientific term.
Where is the best place to watch the parade of planets
The main condition for successful observations is clear weather. Even a little cloud cover can hide some of the planets, especially Mercury.
Experts recommend choosing sites as far away from the glare of the city as possible. Open fields, hills, banks of reservoirs or rural areas where there are no bright sources of artificial lighting are best suited.
It is advisable to observe the parade on the eastern or southeastern horizon, since that is where most of the planets will appear. 20-30 minutes before the start of observations, it is useful to let your eyes get used to the dark and avoid using bright smartphone screens.
For beginners, special mobile applications with a map of the starry sky, which show the position of the planets in real time by geolocation, will greatly simplify the search. Among the most popular are Stellarium, Sky Tonight and Star Walk.
Special equipment is not required to observe Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. However, if you can use a telescope, you can see Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and discern the disks of some planets.
What influence do astrologers attribute to the parade of planets and what does science say?
Each major parade of planets is accompanied by numerous publications about its supposedly special effect on humans. Astrologers traditionally associate such configurations with the beginning of important life changes, emotional instability, changes in career, finances or personal life. Some consider such days favorable for making serious decisions or completing old projects.
However, astronomy does not confirm such claims. According to scientists, the parades of planets do not have any unusual physical impact on the Earth. The gravitational influence of other planets during such configurations remains negligible and practically does not differ from any other day of the year. The distances between celestial bodies are so great that their relative positions are not capable of causing earthquakes, catastrophes, changes in people's well-being, or other events that are sometimes associated with planetary parades.
Nevertheless, such events remain very interesting for astronomy enthusiasts. The opportunity to see several planets at once in one morning is rare, and the coincidence of the August parade with the maximum activity of the Perseids makes the night of August 11-12 one of the most spectacular for observing the starry sky in 2026.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
