Early risers, if there is such a thing, are to get a treat for the next few weeks. For the first time in more than ten years, all five planets visible to the naked eye will be able to be seen at the same time.
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter will all be visible if you look south just before sunrise– although you might need a pair of binoculars to see Mercury and Saturn and, as with almost anything involving the sky, you haven’t a hope of seeing it if you live in a town of more than 30 people.
There’s hope, though. Should you live in one of these places, or even have better things to do before sunrise than stargaze, you’ll be glad to hear the spectacle is to be repeated just after sunset this August.
We’ll have to wait and see what wider effects the planets aligning has, though.
It could be the end of the world. It could result in dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria. Or it could merely provide Britain’s population of telescope-toting uncles with something to bore their nephews and nieces with – we’ll have to wait and see. Or you could consult Mystic Meg on your own time.
[Images: Dr Alan Duffy, All Star]
