A rare planetary alignment will take place Friday night. This astronomical event will feature 7 total planets in a straight line across the Charlotte night sky – Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars.
While planetary alignments occur from time to time, it is unusual for all seven planets to be visible at once. Most of these planets have been present in the night sky since January, but Mercury is now reaching its highest point above the horizon, completing the lineup. The planets will remain visible for a few days before Mercury and Saturn sink below the horizon.
This type of planetary parade happens because all planets orbit the sun on the same flat, disk-shaped plane. Although multiple planets can often be seen at once, this particular alignment is rare, with the next event of this kind not expected until 2040.
For the best view, stargazers will need a long-exposure camera. The best place would be a remote mountain with low light pollution.
You can find the dark spots in your area using the official light pollution map here.
