My Rooftop (The West Side)
My Program for the Parade of Six Planets
Six planets gathered in the evening sky, looking lined up. Every parade needs a program, so I wrote one.
On February 28, six planets gathered in the evening sky after sunset: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. They aren’t really in a line out in space. From Earth, they just look that way. Uranus and Neptune need binoculars or a telescope. I wrote the parade program.
The Program
Leading the parade: Venus, the brightest, low in the west soon after sunset. Get there early.
Close behind: Mercury, near Venus and much harder to spot. Mercury is shy.
The ringmaster: Saturn, with its famous rings, which you need a telescope to see. Trust me, they’re there.
The big float: Jupiter, the largest planet in the parade, and in the solar system.
In disguise: Uranus and Neptune. Binoculars or a telescope required. Very mysterious. Very far away.
Grand Marshal: Me, on the roof, pointing with a flashlight, which I’m told doesn’t help.
How It Went
Venus was wonderful. Jupiter was wonderful. Saturn was wonderful, minus the rings. Uranus and Neptune didn’t show up for me, because I’d forgotten the binoculars. I also saw Mercury, or a plane. I’m counting it.
Four planets out of six, from one roof, in one evening. That’s a great turnout for any parade. Next time, I’ll bring binoculars and a chair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the planets really lined up?
No. They all go around the Sun in roughly the same flat plane, so from Earth they look like a row. Like a parade, seen from the side.
Which planet was best?
Venus. Bright, on time and at the front of the parade. I'd hire Venus.