Parade of planets to dazzle our Lowcountry skies for a celestial delight

Parade of planets to dazzle our Lowcountry skies for a celestial delight

Everyone loves a parade. And if you happen to be awed by dazzling celestial events, you’ll want to be sure and check out the “parade of planets” show in the sky through the end of the month.

Lowcountry residents have a celestial treat awaiting this weekend with four planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn—lining up in the early morning sky following the Lyrid meteor shower. According to experts from LiveScience and AccuWeather, the alignment will also be visible during the next few mornings, and April’s crescent moon will soon join the parade. The sun is scheduled to rise in our Beaufort, SC region at 6:44 a.m. on Saturday, 6:43 a.m. on Sunday, 6:42 a.m. on Monday, 6:41 a.m. on Tuesday and 6:40 a.m. on Wednesday.

Planetary alignments occur when the planets’ orbits bring them to the same region of the sky, when viewed from Earth. These planetary alignments are not rare, but they’re not regularly occurring, either: The last time five planets aligned in the night sky was in 2020, preceded by alignments in 2016 and 2005.

Click to watch video from AccuWeather.com
Click to watch video from AccuWeather.com

So wake up early or go to bed late, which ever you prefer, but don’t forget to gather up those wishes. It should end up being a beautiful light show in the sky. Grab a blanket, or some chairs and make an event of it. Beaufort has plenty of open sky to gaze at.  From our open spaces and our many docks, find the perfect spot. If you are able to capture some photos or video, please share it with us on our Facebook page or via email at eatstayplaybeaufort@gmail.com.

Milky Way over the Dock - Beaufort, SC - Photo by TFH Photography
Milky Way over the Dock – Beaufort, SC – Photo by TFH Photography

 

 


 

Amazing night time photography courtesy of TFH Photography