Astrophotographer Reveals Stunning 10-Body Celestial Alignment: A Rare Cosmic Event Not to be Missed Until 2040!

On February 28, the night sky offered a breathtaking sight as seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—aligned in a remarkable formation. It was a rare event that captivated many, including astrophotographer Josh Dury, who captured this moment from the beautiful Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK.

This spectacular sight is known as a “great planetary parade,” and it won’t happen again until 2040. What makes Dury’s photograph truly special is that it includes not just the seven planets, but also the moon, the sun, and Earth itself in the foreground, totaling 10 celestial bodies.

Photographing such an alignment was quite a challenge. While some planets shone brightly, others, like Saturn and Neptune, were much fainter. One of the biggest hurdles was capturing the sun without letting its brightness drown out the other planets.

Dury explained, “The moon was a major factor. It was tricky to include the sun along with Saturn and Neptune, which were hard to see due to their distance from Earth.”

To create his stunning panorama, Dury used an ultra-wide-angle lens. He took many overlapping photos over a period of 2.5 hours. He then combined these images into a single breathtaking view, using HDR blending to balance the bright sun and the dimmer planets.

Most of the planets had been visible since January, but Mercury joined the lineup just in time. Dury used Mercury’s position to help align the other planets perfectly in his shots.

“The sun, Mercury, the moon, and Venus will often be slightly out of alignment,” Dury noted. “This is due to how the sun sets and the planets’ visibility amidst its glare.”

Catching this event required good planning and clear skies. That night, the conditions were perfect for Dury. He managed not only to show the planetary alignment but also the zodiacal light, a soft glow extending from the sun. He even captured two amazing deep-space objects: the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Triangulum Galaxy (M33).

This celestial gathering was fleeting, with Saturn disappearing from view after March 2. For photographers and stargazers, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“This 10 celestial body alignment may be a world first,” Dury expressed joyfully. “I’m so grateful for the clear skies, and capturing this event from my home in the Mendips made it even more meaningful.”

For those who love the night sky, Dury’s image serves as a beautiful reminder of the incredible cosmic events happening above us and the awe-inspiring nature of the universe.