PLANETARY PARADE

On January 25, 2025, a unique planetary alignment of seven planets will create a stunning arc in the night sky. This rare astronomical event occurs once every 10-20 years, with varying types of parades. Upcoming planetary parades include January 21, 25, 28, and August 11 in 2025.

Last Updated on 16th January, 2025
3 minutes, 41 seconds

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Picture Courtesy: NDTV

Context:

On January 25, 2025, a unique planetary alignment of seven planets will create a stunning arc in the night sky.

About the Planetary Parade

A planetary parade is a rare astronomical event that occurs when several planets align in a small area of the sky. 

The planets appear to be aligned in a straight line when viewed from Earth, but they are millions of miles apart. 

Types of Planetary Parades

  • Mini parade: Three planets align in the sky. This is the most common type of planetary parade, occurring several times a year. 
  • Small parade: Four planets align in the sky. This type of parade occurs about once a year. 
  • Large parade: Five or six planets align in the sky. This type of parade occurs about once every 10 to 20 years. 
  • Great parade: All eight planets align in the sky. This is the rarest type of parade, occurring once every 100 to 200 years or more.

Planetary parades are not uncommon; minor alignments occur annually. However, alignments involving five or more planets are less frequent, happening once every few years.

Upcoming Planetary Parades in 2025

  • January 21: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn will align in the evening.
  • January 25: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Mercury will align in an arc across the night sky.
  • February 28: Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars will align in the evening.
  • August 11: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn will align in the morning.

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Source: 

NDTV

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements:

1. Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system. 

2. A red giant is a star that has run out of hydrogen fuel.

3. A protostar is an old star.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) All three 

D) None

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system, it is a massive shield volcano on Mars, nearly 2.5 times taller than Mount Everest. It is a shield volcano with broadsides and numerous lava channels.

Statement 2 is correct:

A red giant is a star that has run out of hydrogen fuel in its core and has expanded to a giant size. Red giants are dying stars that can remain in this state for up to a billion years.

Statement 3 is incorrect:

A protostar is a young star that is still in the early stages of formation. 

Protostars form when gravity overcomes thermal pressure in a molecular cloud of gas and dust, causing the cloud to collapse.

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