Award-winning Bahrain-based ‘astro-photographer’ Premjith Narayanan has once again captured a rare six-planet alignment from the iconic Tree of Life.
The stunning celestial event with a breathtaking view from Earth of what is being called the ‘parade of planets’ will be visible over the next few weeks, according to US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Stargazers will be able to see Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn with the naked eye while Uranus and Neptune can only be seen through a telescope.
“Light pollution and dust posed a big challenge to photograph the phenomenon,” Mr Narayanan told the GDN. “However, the sky was free of clouds.”
Mars can be seen in the east with an orangish glow in the constellation Gemini, while Jupiter glows overhead brightly in the constellation Taurus.
“I took a 180-degree picture of the sky by stitching four pictures taken through a fish-eye lens so that the complete sky can be displayed in one frame,” added Mr Narayanan.
Another picture clicked by the photographer on Wednesday which shows the planets above the Tree of Life
Meanwhile, Mars reaches “opposition” this month, which is when the planet lies directly on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, forming a straight line.
This is around the time when the planet is at its closest to Earth, making it appear at its biggest and brightest. For Mars, oppositions happen about every two years.
“I encourage people in Bahrain to go outdoors or on their rooftops to see the four planets which are visible to the naked eye, with Venus shining the brightest,” he added.
“However, if the beauty of the constellations have to be observed then the best is to travel away from the city lights. Also anybody with a medium power binocular or a telescope can spot the rings of Saturn and the four moons of Jupiter.
“Winter is a good time to witness such celestial events and this particular one can be visible across Bahrain,” said Mr Narayanan who has clicked photographs in Busaiteen, Tree of Life and other locations.
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