Last chance to see seven planets line up in the Dutch sky before 2040 on Friday night
Skywatchers may be able to see seven planets in the Dutch sky on Friday for the last time until 2040, NOS reported. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune had already been visible in January and February, and now Mercury can also be seen.
However, astronomers have warned that some planets will not be easily visible. “Neptune and Mercury are just above the horizon while it is still twilight, and you need binoculars to see them. Neptune is maybe not possible at all,” said Esther Hanko of the Anton Pannekoek Institute, which is the astronomy institute of the University of Amsterdam.
The specialist did say that Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be easy to spot on the eye, as they have been for months. “Uranus too, but it is so far away that you can barely see it with the naked eye."
The phenomenon known as the “planetary parade” will come just after 6:18 p.m. after sunset. People who want to attempt to see all seven are advised to go to spots with a clear view of the horizon, and minimal light pollution.
"If you just pop out of your kitchen into your back garden, you will take time to adjust to the light levels. Give it a bit of time - your eyes take about half an hour to fully adjust," Dr Edward Bloomer, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said to the BBC. "Avoid looking at your phone, get comfortable, and ensure you have an unobstructed view of the horizon."
Star gazers organize events throughout the year in which visitors can view not only planets but also galaxies, nebulae, and other objects with increasingly modern and powerful telescopes. This will also happen on March 7, 8, and 9 during the Landelijke Sterrenkijkdagen, which is the annual event for stargazing.
