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Karachi: Skywatchers will have an opportunity to witness a rare planetary gathering before sunrise today, as six planets are expected to appear across the eastern horizon. According to experts from the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be positioned in the morning sky during the pre-dawn hours. The planetary display is expected to be visible approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunrise, with observers advised to look towards the eastern horizon for the best chance of spotting the celestial bodies. Experts said Mars, Saturn and Jupiter should be visible to the naked eye under suitable weather and viewing conditions. However, Mercury will appear very close to the horizon, making it comparatively more difficult to observe, particularly if there are buildings, trees or haze obstructing the view. The remaining two planets, Uranus and Neptune, are much fainter and will require a telescope or binoculars for observation. Astronomy experts have clarified that although the planets may appear to form a line or group from Earth, they are not actually arranged in a straight line in outer space. The apparent alignment is the result of the viewing angle from Earth and the planets’ positions along their respective orbits around the Sun. For those hoping to observe the phenomenon, experts recommend choosing a location with a clear view of the eastern horizon and minimal light pollution. Early morning skies with clear weather will provide better viewing conditions.

A discarded section of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is believed to have crashed into the Moon, giving scientists a rare opportunity to study the effects of a known impact on the lunar surface. The object, a 4,000-kilogram upper stage left in space after a January 2025 mission, was expected to strike the Moon at around 07:35 BST after spending more than a year drifting through space. Scientists say the rocket stage gradually shifted onto a collision course due to the combined gravitational pull of the Earth, Moon and Sun. The impact is not considered dangerous to Earth, according to NASA, which plans to analyse the event to improve its understanding of lunar geology and refine methods for tracking objects in space. Although the collision itself was too faint to be seen with the naked eye, astronomers using powerful telescopes are monitoring the Moon for signs of a fresh crater and a plume of dust created by the impact. Researchers are now comparing before-and-after images of the lunar surface to identify the exact location of the strike. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri lunar spacecraft are expected to capture images of the impact site in the coming days. Scientists say processing and analysing the data could take several days or even weeks before the first confirmed images are released. Experts describe the incident as a valuable scientific experiment because the size, speed and mass of the object were known in advance. Unlike natural meteor impacts, the predictable nature of the collision allows researchers to better understand how craters form and how lunar material behaves after a high-speed impact. However, astronomers also say the incident highlights the growing problem of space debris. Thousands of human-made objects now remain on or around the Moon, and experts warn that increasing congestion in space could pose challenges for future exploration missions if debris is not managed more effectively. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues its regular launch operations. The company successfully launched another Falcon 9 rocket from Florida on a separate mission carrying satellites into orbit, underscoring the growing pace of space activity as agencies and private companies expand their exploration programmes.