How often do planets align? The alignment of all eight planets in a straight line, as shown in movies, is impossible as all of them have different orbits in three-dimensional spaces.
However, as per the previous records, three planets align themselves at one side of the sun twice a year; four planets take a year for their alignment, while for five planets, up to nineteen years are required.
When was the last time all planets aligned?
Because of the orientation and angles of their orbits, it is almost impossible for all the planets to lie in one straight line. However, some investigations have been made to determine how often the planets align.
Research has shown that the last time all the planets were aligned was in 561 BC, while some studies have revealed that it occurred in 949 AD. They also claim that the next such alignment won’t be possible until 2854.
Besides, conjunctions of three or five planets are not so rare and happen every few years. The planetary alignment of the five planets was last time seen in December 2004. It is predicted that the next time it will happen will be in 2040.
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How often do planets align?
Planetary alignment for three planets was last time seen in 2015. It was when Venus, Mars, and Jupiter were seen in close conjunction.
Some prognosis says that such three planetary alignments will be seen in 2026, where Mars, Saturn, and Mercury will be in close conjunction.
What happen when the planets align?
On planetary alignment, all the planets appear at the same point in the sky. Sometimes, all these could lie on the same line, but that’s not always possible.
However, these alignments do not have any noticeable gravitational effects on the solar system as all the planets are far enough apart that they won’t deviate from their orbits, even a little.
So, no catastrophic disasters are expected, and we’ll continue to live without noticing any cosmic coincidence.
Conclusion
The planetary alignment for all the planets is nearly impossible as all the planets have different angles and orientations of their orbits around the sun. For a change, the three or five planetary alignments are seen once every few years.