The best places in Hampshire to view rare seven-planet parade not visible again until 2040
Seven planets are to be visible this week for the last time until 2040 - here are the UK’s Dark Sky Discovery Sites where you can get the best view.
Seven planets - Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn - will be visible together in the night sky on February 28.
It is set to be the last time the seven planets will be visible simultaneously until 2040 and you are in with a chance of catching the planetary parade just after sunset.
While Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Mars will be visible to the naked eye, Saturn will be more difficult to see and a telescope will be needed to view Uranus and Neptune.
Dark Sky Discovery Sites are areas which provide good views of the sky, away from direct streetlighting, and are accessible to everyone and these are the best places from which to view the stars.
In Hampshire there are are number Dark Sky Discovery Sites, many of which are close to Portsmouth.
The are:
- Buriton Village Green: High Street in Buriton, near Petersfield
- Butser Hill: Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Clanfield
- Harting Down: On B2141, South Harting, near Petersfield
- Old Winchester Hill: Near Meonstoke. Carpark is Droxford Road, GU32 1HW
For more details visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/dark-night-skies/where-to-stargaze/