Six planets to line up over Baku in rare celestial spectacle photo

Residents of Baku will soon have the chance to witness a rare astronomical phenomenon known as the “Great Planet Parade,” an event that occurs only once every 15 to 20 years when several planets of the Solar System align in a near straight line.

The spectacle will take place on Saturday, February 28. Department of Astrophysics at the Faculty of Physics of Baku State University told Caliber.Az that six planets — Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — will appear together in a specific sector of the sky immediately after sunset.

From Earth’s viewpoint, the planets will be positioned within a narrow section of the ecliptic. Four of them will be visible to the naked eye, while the two most distant planets will require optical instruments.

Venus, along with the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, will be among the brightest and easiest to spot against the starry background. Mercury, however, will be located close to the horizon, so observers are advised to choose open areas with a clear view. Uranus and Neptune will only be observable through a telescope.

For residents and visitors in Baku, the best time to watch the “Great Planet Parade” will be between 7:10 pm and 8:30 pm.

By Tamilla Hasanova