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Planets: A Great Alignment

On May 5, 2000, there will be a very special alignment of planets. Alignments of so many planets do not happen very often, typically every few years. This one will align the planets closer than they have been since 1962. Unfortunately, the grouping is in line with the sun so it can only be "seen" during the day when the Sun is so bright that the planets are invisible to us.
If we could see our solar system from above, we would see almost a straight line formed by these objects: the Earth, the Moon, the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. This diagram shows the idea. Daytime alignment
Daytime alignment If we could block out the bright sun (would someone please arrange for an eclipse on this day), this is what we would see during the day on May 5.

Now for the good news. Unlike many reports from people who fear these events, the alignments of the planets will not create such an increase in gravitational pull that California will fall into the ocean. Nor will high tides flood major cities, and volcanoes will not erupt as a result.

Back To KID SPACE This page last modified: May 1, 2000

For comments or suggestions on this planet page, please write to Debra Tigner or Chris Teron

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