On the evenings of November 1 and 2, stargazers in Colombia will have the opportunity to witness a rare astronomical event: a triangular alignment of the Moon, Saturn, and Neptune. This phenomenon will be best visible from the northern hemisphere on November 1 and from the southern hemisphere on November 2. Although some of these celestial bodies can be seen with the naked eye, others will require optical instruments.
Astronomers note that five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—can typically be identified from Earth due to their brightness and relative proximity. This time, Neptune, the farthest planet in the solar system, will also be part of the alignment, although it will only be visible through binoculars or telescopes because of its dim light.
The configuration will create a triangle shape, prominently featuring the bright glow of the Moon alongside the golden light of Saturn. Observers can expect to see this celestial display a few hours after sunset, specifically between 6 PM and 10 PM, as the satellite rises above the horizon.
During this event, the Moon will shine with a brightness magnitude of approximately 12.0, making it the most prominent object in the night sky. Saturn will appear dimmer, with a magnitude of 7.7, but it can still be seen without optical aid. In contrast, Neptune will be indistinguishable without instruments, even in rural areas with clear skies.
To enjoy the event with the naked eye, it is advisable to find a location away from light pollution and allow a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before looking up. For a more detailed view, using binoculars with 7x or 10x magnification will allow observers to spot Saturn and, under ideal conditions, a small bluish dot representing Neptune. A telescope with 50x or 100x magnification significantly enhances the experience, enabling viewers to see some of Saturn”s moons and observe Neptune as a pale blue disk, faint but noticeable.
Photography enthusiasts wishing to capture this moment should use a tripod and experiment with short exposure times, ranging from 1/500 to 1/125 seconds. An ISO setting between 100 and 400 is recommended to prevent overexposure of the Moon. These adjustments will help capture the glow of Saturn, although the faint light of Neptune may not be recorded.
While this event does not constitute a total alignment of visible planets, the early November occurrence presents a great opportunity to observe the night sky and witness the movement of the brightest celestial bodies.
