Astronomers told when it is possible to observe a "parade of planets" and a starfall

The "parade of planets" in the evening sky and the starfall of the Quadrantid will be observed by the inhabitants of the Earth before the New City and in early January. This was announced on December 27 on the website of the Moscow Planetarium.

Astronomers note that before the New Year, there will be unique conditions when in the evening it will be possible to observe almost all the planets of the Solar System in the sky, except Mars, which will be visible in the morning. Everyone will be able to see the New Year's "parade of planets" in the clear winter sky in the evening hours from December 25, 2021 to January 7, 2022.

The best time for observations is 17:00 Moscow time. After 18:00 Moscow time, the planets will disappear from the sky. Venus will be the first to disappear, followed by Saturn after 19:00 Moscow time, and Jupiter after 20:30 Moscow time. Neptune can be observed until midnight, and Uranus until morning, but only armed with a telescope.

After the New Year, another surprise awaits the inhabitants of the Earth: on January 3, after midnight, the Quadrantid starfall will reach the peak of activity in the sky. Astronomers expect meteors to fall at a frequency of one or two per minute or 120 per hour. The conditions for observation promise to be favorable for all residents of Russia.

The best time to observe the "shooting stars— is after midnight on January 3. On this night, the radiant, (meteor departure area) which is located at the Quadrantids in the constellation of Volopas, will be as high as possible above the horizon, under the "bucket handle" of the constellation Ursa Major.