Planetary Alignments

Planetary Alignments

    Knowing the current position of a planet in the sky with respect to the Sun will allow one to plan observations of that planet. The inferior planets, Mercury and Venus are notorious for hiding near the Sun in our sky. These planets must be seen just after sunset or just before sunrise. The outer planets are, in general, easier to find on any given night. The absolute best time to observe an outer planet is at the time of opposition, where the planet is seen in the exact opposite direction from the Sun and is visible all night long.

    The planets not only align with the Sun, but with each other as well. Here is a site that will help explain some of these alignments.


 Planetary Alignments Defined
  • Inferior Conjunction
  • Superior Conjunction
  • Opposition
  • Conjunction
  • Greatest Elongation
  • Quadrature


        Now, the most important question that you all have: Is it possible for all the planets to line up, and what would happen if it did? Here is an excellent treatment of that very question.

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    Updated April 10, 2009