Five planets and the Moon to align in time for Matariki
Thursday, 9 June 2022
Star-gazers searching for the Matariki constellation will be treated to a rare alignment of five planets and the moon.
The alignment of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible in the morning sky from Friday, and joined by the Moon on June 21, in time for Matariki or the Māori New Year.
The Matariki constellation will be just below Venus, which will be the brightest planet in the sky.
'It is a total coincidence, but it is very special that this happens to fall on the same day as the first risings of Matariki,” Stardome Observatory astronomer educator Josh Aoraki said.
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'Most people who are getting up to catch the Matariki stars will be able to spot this beautiful alignment of six objects, including the Moon, which will be very dazzling in the skies.'
The spectacle can be viewed from anywhere with a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern morning sky and all planets will be visible from 6.30am to sunrise.
'No telescope or binoculars are needed – it is best to simply use your eyes to get the widest field of view to see all objects in alignment,” Aoraki said.
'The only thing you need is clear weather, and you have the whole month to catch them if it is cloudy in your particular area.'
Aoraki said it was 'very rare” to see this alignment of planets in their ascending order from the sun.
'As long as we have clear skies around Aotearoa on the morning of the 21st, this will be a very special alignment for Matariki and it will never look exactly like this again,” he said.
'Planets are quite bright and stand out from the stars as they do not typically twinkle, so it will be an easy astronomical event to spot for any early morning risers.'
The spectacle also happens to fall on the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night.