JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When the “stars align” you may think good things happen. When the literal stars align, it’s known as a celestial event. This rare event is a good thing because it won’t happen again until 2040.
According to the Star Walk 2 app, in the evening of Friday, Feb. 28, just after sunset at 6:25 p.m. in Jacksonville, seven planets — Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars — will align in the sky. Four of them (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars) will be easily visible to the naked eye. For Uranus and Neptune, get a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. Saturn will be the most difficult target to see — you’ll need to know the exact time for your exact location as the planet hangs close to the Sun.
However, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see the alignment. For our region, the best opportunity was Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Clearly, a clear sky without clutter, such as buildings and pollution, is best for viewing the planets, which are often mistaken for stars. The biggest difference? Planets don’t twinkle like stars do.
During a planetary alignment, the gravitational forces of the planets can have an impact on each other, although these effects are usually minimal and not noticeable on Earth. Such alignments have been a source of fascination for astronomers and the general public alike, often inspiring myths and speculation about their significance.
For those interested in upcoming alignments, it’s helpful to consult astronomical calendars or resources that track celestial events. These resources can provide specific dates and times when alignments are expected to occur, allowing enthusiasts to plan their observations accordingly.