Our solar system originally has 9 planets with the discovery of Pluto in 1930. In 2006, in a highly controversial decision the International Astronomical Union has classified Pluto as 'dwarf planet', reducing the list of 'real planets' in our solar system to the current 8 planets. Mercury is nearest to the Sun and Neptune is furthest away from the Sun.
Starting 19th July 2018 until 1st September 2018 our solar system is experiencing a rare planetary arrangement, all the 8 planets plus the demoted Pluto are moving to one side of the Sun leaving the region on the other side of the Sun in barren wilderness.
4 weeks has passed since 19th July, the concentration of gravitational force on one side of the Sun has not caused any serious problem to our planet earth except the Indonesia earthquake in Lombok island that killed 430 people so far. Just keep our fingers crossed for another 3 weeks. Don't listen to the doomsayers.
For the stargazer, this phenomenon provides an opportunity to see some of the planets at night. For those interested can go to the site 'Objects in your sky: Planets' to find out the time and location of any visible planets.
Within this week the planets that can be seen in Kuala Lumpur sky are Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
In North American sky at mid-week from August 13 to August 20, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus can be seen
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