Prologue

Title of the Article: The Size and Shape of Jupiter

By: Writer Olga Valentín Prado

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members of the international scientific community:

On this evening devoted to knowledge, when humanity lifts its gaze toward the deepest reaches of the universe, we gather to celebrate an act of precision, patience, and wonder: the revelation of the true form of the giant of our solar system.

The scientific article entitled The Size and Shape of Jupiter is not merely a revision of astronomical figures; it is a testament to human progress in our quest to measure with accuracy what for millennia we could only contemplate with admiration. Where once there were noble yet imperfect approximations, today shines the clarity of precise science.

Jupiter, king of the planetary heavens, has not diminished in grandeur. On the contrary, when measured with instruments born of human ingenuity, it is revealed to us with a truth more refined, more elegant, and more profound. Its slight oblateness, its dynamic structure, and its vast atmosphere remind us that even giants obey the subtle laws of the cosmos.

This discovery symbolizes more than a mere adjustment of kilometers in an equatorial radius: it represents the triumph of rigorous observation over assumption, and of evidence over appearance. It is the contemporary echo of the spirit that has guided science from Galileo to our own day.

May this work inspire new generations to understand that the universe does not diminish when measured with greater precision; rather, our understanding of it is enriched.

Thus, from the solemn tradition of scholarship, we celebrate not only the planet studied, but the very act of knowing. For in every refined figure, in every corrected model, humanity draws a little closer to unraveling the architecture of the infinite.

With reverent respect for science, truth, and beauty.

The Apparent Alignment of Six Planets on February 28, 2026

Orbital Geometry, Terrestrial Perspective, and the Scientific Significance of an Exceptional Planetary Parade

Abstract

On February 28, 2026, the sky above us will present an astronomical phenomenon that promises to be fascinating from both scientific and educational perspectives: the apparent alignment of six planets of the Solar System—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—arranged along the ecliptic.

This event, commonly referred to as a planetary parade, is not a true physical alignment in three-dimensional space, but rather a geometric configuration observable from Earth, resulting from the temporal coincidence of similar ecliptic longitudes. In this article, we explore the phenomenon from orbital, observational, and epistemological perspectives, emphasizing its importance as a visible manifestation of the fundamental laws governing celestial mechanics.

1. Introduction: When Celestial Mechanics Becomes Visible

Since humanity first began to study the sky, we have perceived in it a text written in geometry and time. The planetary alignment of February 28, 2026, is neither an omen nor a rarity, but an elegant and predictable consequence of the laws of Kepler and Newton. It is proof that the cosmos, despite its immensity and complexity, follows precise mathematical principles.

What makes this event particularly special is the coincidence of six planets within a relatively narrow band of the visible sky—an occurrence that is infrequent and of exceptional value for scientific education and astronomical observation.

2. Astronomical Foundation of the Phenomenon

2.1 The Ecliptic as the Orbital Stage

All planets in the Solar System orbit more or less within the same plane, inherited from the original protoplanetary disk. From our terrestrial perspective, this plane projects onto the sky as the ecliptic, an imaginary line that functions as a cosmic highway for the planets, the Sun, and the Moon.

The alignment of February 28, 2026, occurs when:

The inner planets (Mercury and Venus),

The gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn),

And the ice giants (Uranus and Neptune),

occupy similar ecliptic longitudes, enabling us to observe them within the same sector of the sky for a limited period of time.

2.2 Apparent vs. Real Alignment

It is essential to emphasize that:

There is no perfect physical alignment in three-dimensional space.

The distances between the planets are immense, and there are no significant gravitational interactions affecting Earth.

The phenomenon is fundamentally one of projection and perspective—a geometric illusion that is both scientifically accurate and aesthetically captivating.

3. Planetary Configuration on February 28, 2026

Planets Involved

Mercury: Low on the horizon, fleeting and close to the Sun.

Venus: Extremely bright, dominating the evening sky.

Saturn: With steady luminosity, radiating quiet elegance.

Jupiter: The luminous giant, serving as a visual anchor of the ensemble.

Uranus and Neptune: Invisible to the naked eye, yet present—reminding us that the cosmos extends far beyond what we can directly perceive.

This hierarchy of brightness and visibility clearly illustrates the relationship between distance, size, albedo, and apparent magnitude.

4. When and How to Observe the Phenomenon

4.1 Optimal Timing

Key date: February 28, 2026

Observation window: Approximately 30 to 90 minutes after sunset

Direction: West–southwest horizon

The twilight will serve as a beautiful backdrop, allowing the brightest planets to gradually emerge as the sky darkens.

4.2 Visibility from Lima, Peru

From Lima (approximately 12° south latitude), the alignment will be clearly visible due to the favorable inclination of the ecliptic in the southern hemisphere’s evening sky at that time of year. Venus and Jupiter will be observable even from urban areas, while Saturn will require moderately clear skies.

Uranus and Neptune will necessitate binoculars or a telescope, yet their inclusion adds significant scientific value to the event.

5. Observational Methodology and Precautions

5.1 Recommended Instrumentation

Initial naked-eye observation

Confirmation and enhanced detail with 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars

Optional telescope for the outer planets

5.2 Fundamental Precautions

Never observe near the Sun with optical instruments without certified solar filters.

Avoid pseudoscientific interpretations: no adverse physical effects are associated with this event.

Prioritize clear skies and unobstructed horizons.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY:

Olga Valentín Prado