Six planets to create rare celestial spectacle over Pakistan

KARACHI – Skywatchers across Pakistan will have the chance to witness a rare celestial spectacle today, as six planets are expected to appear in the pre-dawn sky at the same time. The experts at the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said that Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be visible before sunrise, creating an unusual planetary display. The event offers astronomy enthusiasts in Pakistan an opportunity to observe several members of the solar system together in the early morning sky. The best opportunity to observe the phenomenon will come approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunrise, when the planets are expected to appear over the eastern horizon. Experts said Jupiter, Mars and Saturn should be visible without specialised equipment, provided the sky remains clear and visibility is good. Mercury, however, will be positioned very close to the horizon, making it more difficult to spot. Those hoping to observe Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope, as both planets are considerably fainter and cannot normally be seen with the naked eye. The event is expected to attract the attention of astronomy enthusiasts and members of the public interested in observing the night sky. Experts have also clarified a common misconception surrounding such planetary displays. Although the six planets may appear to form a line when viewed from Earth, they are not actually arranged in a straight line in outer space. The apparent alignment is primarily the result of the viewing angle from Earth and the planets' positions along their respective orbits around the Sun. Skywatchers have been advised to choose locations with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon and away from bright city lights for better visibility. Clear weather conditions will also play an important role in determining how clearly the planets can be observed.