Planet: From the eyes of astronomers and poets

 

Planets: from the eyes of astronomers and poets

Today March 28,2020 was a rare celestial event. Astronomers call it a Planetary Parade. When multiple planets of our solar system are lined up in a small area or on one side of the sun as seen from the earth it is called a planetary parade. If it involves 3 planets it is a mini parade, small if 4 planets, large if 5-6 planets and great or full if all planets+/-Pluto. The last time a full parade occurred was on July 4th 2020. Prior to that it happened in 1982 and next one will be in 2161. 

Today’s event was a large one involving 5 planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, with a bonus of moon joining them in close proximity! 

Last 3-4 days I had been lucky to see Saturn, Venus and Mars on the eastern sky at 4:30 am with the waning moon not too far from the trio. Today, anticipating to catch a glimpse of Jupiter and Mercury along with the rest, I was up early to watch this heavenly show. Alas !! The sky was overcast and not even the earlier trio or even the brightest of them all, Venus, was visible. 

That moment in my mind arose the words of the legendary Marathi poet B R Tambe immortalized by Lata Didi.

Ghana tami Shukra bagh raajya kari

Re khinna manaa bagha jaraa tari

Oh my dear Mind, do not feel sad

The clouds may have gathered and come in the way

But know in your heart that Venus is still the same , shining just as brightly behind the clouds, and holding its reign in the sky. 

Will talk more about this uplifting poem tomorrow in the next post.

If the weather in your part of the world permits do try to see the eastern horizon about an hour before sunrise for the next few days. You will see this amazing planetary parade. And if the weather plays foul do listen to the song. It will brighten your day. 

I draped this lovely jute silk saree in white with antique gold jari in the evening with the hope of taking pictures with the sunset. But again rain played a spoil sport. Instead got the shot standing under cover of the patio watching the rain. It was no less beautiful. The sound of the trickle of rainwater from the roof and the fragrance of the earth were enchanting. From morning till night got a glimpse of Mother Nature in a different avatar.