You can see 5 planets align in the night sky this week. When to catch it in Lexington

Meredith Howard
·2 min read
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For a fun evening activity this week, make sure to check out Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Uranus line up in the night sky.

The planetary alignment should be visible in Lexington for a few days, but one evening will offer the best views, according to Star Walk. The formation will be “especially rare,” People Magazine reports, because it includes Uranus, which is usually difficult to see.

The last planetary lineup took place in June, with Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. That particular alignment may not occur again until 2040.

Here’s when to see the five planets align in the night sky this week.

When’s the best time to see the lineup in Lexington?

For the best glimpse at this event, the Associated Press reports skygazers should look to the western horizon right after sunset Tuesday. The sun will set at approximately 7:57 p.m. in Fayette County Tuesday.

“Your best option is looking out over a water horizon that is perfectly flat and wide open with nothing to block your view. Another option is a large field with no trees or buildings,” the Farmers’ Almanac says.

It’s ideal to find an area without light pollution, and NASA advises stargazers to head at least 20 to 30 miles from city limits. You will probably need a pair of binoculars to spot Mercury and Uranus, according to AP, but Venus, Jupiter and Mars should be visible to the naked eye.

Lexington area stargazers may want to dress warmly before heading out Tuesday evening, as the National Weather Service forecasts a low around 29 degrees. There’s a 10% chance of showers before 8 p.m., and there may be frosty areas after 11 p.m.

If you miss March’s planetary alignment, Star Walk reports you can see Mercury, Uranus, Venus and Mars align the evening of April 11.

Local stargazing events

The Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club holds stargazing gatherings at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Lexington each month from March to October, weather-permitting. There may be a $1 charge to attend.

Here are the 2023 stargazing dates at Raven Run:

  • April 22

  • May 20

  • June 17

  • July 15

  • Aug. 12

  • Sept. 16

  • Oct. 14

If those dates don’t work out for you, the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club also holds stargazing events at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Here’s when the Shaker Village gatherings are scheduled:

  • April 15

  • May 13

  • June 10

  • July 22

  • Aug. 19

  • Sept. 9

  • Oct. 7

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