Posted in Indiana Natural Wonders March 23, 2023 by

Five Different Planets Will Align In The Indiana Night Sky During An Incredibly Rare Display

Lovers of the night sky have plenty of reasons to celebrate this year; there are lots of interesting things happening in the sky right now, and one of those things is actually pretty special (and quite rare). It’s what’s known as a “planet parade”, and it’ll be visible over Indiana this month! This planet parade in Indiana will also be visible to most people in most states – weather permitting, of course. This is one of those awe-inspiring things that are definitely worth waking up early for. Check it out:

On March 27th and 28th, 2023, it begins: a fascinating and somewhat rare planet parade in which five planets of our solar system appear to line up in the early-evening sky.
Marco Verch Professional Photographer/Flickr
Now, seeing two to three planets lined up together isn't all that rare; it's called a "conjunction" and as you probably remember, we had a conjunction over Indiana relatively recently.
But five? That's pretty special.
Diana Robinson/Flickr
The last time we had an in-sequence five-planet planet parade in Indiana (and elsewhere) was in 2022 (though it was different planets - AND they were all in order!). Best of all, the greatest part of the show hasn't happened yet. That comes on March 28th.
In the very early evening hours of March 28th, just after the sun sets, Mercury and all her friends will be ridiculously visible - even to the naked eye, it will appear brilliant.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr
There will be about an hour of time to enjoy the view with Mercury included. It'll pop up just above the horizon and remain obvious until it's blotted out by the horizon.
The visible planets will be Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Mars - celestial bodies we can never visit, but can admire from (very, very) afar.
Andrea Luck/Flickr
The planet parade will be visible for a few more weeks, but it will be at its best on the 28th, so we definitely recommend getting outside RIGHT after the sun goes down - while the sky is still a deep, dark blue instead of black.
You'll be able to see the planets lined up with your naked eyes, though, of course, clouds might complicate this quite a bit.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr
However, should we be lucky enough to not have clouds to worry about, be sure to bring some binoculars or even a telescope. This is a rare opportunity to see several planets all at once, and a great teaching moment for the kids, too.
Which planet in this particular alignment is your favorite?
FolsomNatural/Flickr
We happen to like Jupiter. Those colors and that great Red Spot are just too amazing to ignore.

Maybe someday, our other favorite planet (Neptune) can be seen, too.

Do you have any plans to witness this spectacular event in the Indiana night sky? Tell us your thoughts (and about your favorite planets) in the comments! For more awesome night-sky spectacles in Indiana, check out the best celestial events in Indiana happening in 2023.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Indiana Night Sky

March 27, 2023
Tori Jane
  1. What is visible in the Indiana night sky? 

There are many amazing things regularly visible in the Indiana night sky, though it might depend on what time of year you’re looking.  

  • Planets – At certain times, you’ll be able to see planets like Mercury, Mars, and even Jupiter! Some of the small planets may sometimes only be visible with binoculars, but the investment is totally worth it. 
  • Constellations – How many can you name? As with most astral things, certain constellations are visible in certain places at certain times of the year.  
  • The Milky Way – You can see the very galaxy we call home on most summer nights, as it’s right above our heads for the whole night. Of course, you’ll want to go to a dark-sky location to check it out.  

 

Learn more about some of the best dark-sky locations in the United States.   

  1. Where are the best places for stargazing in Indiana? 

Of course, Indiana is in no way exempt from having amazing dark-sky locations! Some of the all-time best places for stargazing in Indiana include:  

  • Beverly Shores – This delightful small town was one of the first-ever designated Dark Sky Cities in Indiana; plus, it’s amazing to visit during the day, too.  
  • Indiana Dunes National Park – If you’ve never seen forty million stars over the Indiana Dunes, you’ve never lived.  
  • Tippecanoe River State Park – Honestly, most of our state parks would probably work for this, but Tippecanoe River is a designated dark-sky zone with lots to offer.  

 

Learn more about the amazing Tippecanoe River State Park.   

  1. What planets are visible tonight in Indiana? 

Only a few planets are visible in the night sky from earth (and Indiana, subsequently), but we recommend keeping an eye out for them all. The most commonly spotted planets visible from Indiana are:  

  • Mercury 
  • Venus  
  • Mars 
  • Jupiter 
  • Saturn  

 

Sometimes, you may be able to make out Neptune or Uranus, though usually you’ll need some assistance with sighting them. Learn more about a wonderful night sky phenomenon known as earthshine.