ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lankans can view six planets of the solar system just after sunset in a rare alignment, Prof Chandana Jayaratne said.
“This celestial parade can be best seen within 90 minutes after the sunset in these days up to January 29th and even up to mid February,” Jayaratne, the Director of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, Colombo University, and the Chairman of the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies said.
Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars are bright enough to see with the naked eye, he said, while Uranus and Neptune are visible with a telescope.
“Since all the planets are following the same general path across the sky, they’re easier to spot them by looking roughly around an imaginary line drawn from west to east.
“Start by looking to the west. Venus is the brightest in the sky, with Saturn just below it. Draw a line between the two planets, then follow that line upwards to find Jupiter high overhead.
“Keep following the line, and see Mars glowing red to the east. It’s extra bright in January because it’s directly opposite the sun from our position.”
The other two planets are not visible to the naked eye, Jayaratne said. “With a telescope and some practice, can spot Neptune glowing blue just above and south of Venus, then Uranus just to the west of Jupiter he said.
The ‘planetary parade’ was originally sighted around January 18. (Colombo/Jan27/2025)
