Rare planetary parade visible in Hyderabad skies: How to witness it

Here’s a guide to spot the four planets without special equipment

Hyderabad: In an excellent opportunity for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts in Hyderabad, four planets—Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars—align in the city’s January skies. This rare planetary parade offers a fantastic opportunity to observe these planets with the naked eye, no telescopes required!

According to N Sree Raghunandan Kumar, founder president of the Planetary Society of India (PSI), this event is a unique chance to catch four planets in a matter of minutes, provided the weather and light conditions are favorable.

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Here’s a guide to spot the four planets without special equipment:

Venus and Saturn (West Sky)

Time: Before 8:30 PM.

How to Spot:

Venus: Look westward for a bright, non-twinkling object.

Saturn: With keen observation, you can spot a dim yellowish-white, non-twinkling object— Saturn.

Venus and Saturn set by 8:30 PM, so plan accordingly.

Jupiter and Mars (East Sky)

Jupiter:

Time: Visible above the eastern sky early in the evening, moving directly overhead by 10:00 PM.

How to Spot:

Look for a bright, non-twinkling star-like object high in the eastern sky.

Mars:

Time: Visible near the eastern horizon early in the night, appearing above your head around midnight, and setting in the west before sunrise.

How to Spot: Look for an orange-red, non-twinkling celestial object low in the east.

Move away from bright city lights for clearer visibility and ensure the skies are clear to avoid obstructions for best viewing experience.

“There’s no need to rush and buy telescopes,” advises Raghunandan Kumar. These planets are bright enough to be spotted with the naked eye, he added.

So, grab a blanket, head to an open space, and enjoy this rare astronomical event in Hyderabad’s night skies!