A rare planetary conjunction observable with the naked eye has five main planets in our solar system lined up in a row.
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be seen brightly before dawn in a clear sky.
It's a rare chance to glimpse Mercury, which is normally overshadowed by the Sun's brilliant brightness.
The conjunction was brightest on Friday morning, but it will be visible from most areas of the planet until Monday.
This combination was last observed in 2004 and will not be seen again until 2040.
Prof Lucie Green, principal stargazer at the Society for Popular Astronomy, describes how the planets seem "like a necklace of pearls strung out from near to the horizon."
It is also a unique event since the planets appear in the sequence in which they are positioned relative to the sun.
Prof Green claims that this isn't always the case for planetary conjunctions because of our vantage point from Earth peering into the solar system.
A crescent Moon entered the lineup on Friday, appearing between Venus and Mars.
The northern hemisphere, including the United Kingdom, has the finest views 45 to 90 minutes before sunrise. Look east and extremely near to the horizon, preferably from a high point such as a hill. The view will be obstructed by large buildings or trees. You'll need to get up early since the sun will wash out the sky, obscuring the planets as soon as it rises.
They may, nonetheless, be seen with the naked eye; however, Prof Green urges skywatchers not to use equipment such as binoculars or telescopes due to the risk of gazing directly into the Sun.
Begin by gazing at Saturn, the planet furthest away. Then work your way back through the planets until you reach Venus, which is generally rather bright.
Mercury should be the last planet in the lineup. Prof Green claims it took her several years to notice it because it is a difficult planet to see. "Seeing this small glittering planet is extremely pleasant," she says.
Observers in the tropical and southern hemispheres will have a better view since the planets will rise higher in the pre-dawn sky, but an early start is still required.
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