The peak of the Perseid meteor shower this year will coincide with a rare celestial parade. As reported by TASS at the Moscow Planetarium, on the night of August 12-13, six planets of the Solar System will be visible simultaneously above the northeastern horizon.
The planets will appear in strict order: Neptune (after 21:30), Saturn (21:45), Uranus (23:00), Mars (00:30), Mercury (03:30), and Jupiter (03:55). Saturn and Mars will be visible to the naked eye, Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope, and Mercury and Jupiter will only appear for an hour near the horizon before sunrise.
Astronomers advise observing the shower before dawn — this is when both "falling stars" and planets are best seen. This cosmic coincidence makes this night one of the most spectacular for observers in the entire second half of the year.
Read more on the topic:
- On July 6, Earth will slow down to its annual minimum: the planet will reach the farthest point of its orbit
- The Moon has shrunk over millions of years: scientists have discovered the reason for the Earth's satellite's contraction
- The main meteor shower of summer is coming soon: how to see the Perseids without a telescope