You Can See Four Planets With The Naked Eye This Month, And Two With Binoculars
Six planets align in a planetary parade this month, offering a celestial spectacle. Four planets are visible to the naked eye. Clear nights and minimal light pollution are ideal for viewing.
This month offers a stunning celestial spectacle as six planets align in a planetary parade, with four — Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — visible to the naked eye. This mesmerising alignment, which occurs when several planets appear to gather in the night sky, is a treat for astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike.
“They’re not in a straight line, but they’re pretty close together on one side of the sun,” explained Hannah Sparkes, planetarium supervisor at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Florida, according to an Associated Press report.
These planetary parades are not uncommon and can occur at least once a year. However, the current event is special because it allows for multiple naked-eye sightings, the report said. Last June’s parade featured only two planets visible without special equipment. This time, Uranus and Neptune can also be spotted, albeit with binoculars or telescopes.
How And When To Watch
For those eager to catch the show, clear, cloudless nights are key. Go outside on a clear night a few hours after sunset and face south, the AP report quoted Kevin Williams, planetarium director at Buffalo State University, as saying. Venus and Saturn will shine brightly in the southwestern sky, Jupiter will be visible to the south, and Mars will glow in the southeast or east, distinguishable by its reddish-orange hue.
January 17 and 18 offer a unique highlight as Venus and Saturn will appear exceptionally close — just two degrees apart — creating a dazzling sight for observers. Meanwhile, Mars will shine especially bright, as it is currently positioned directly opposite the Sun.
Astronomers recommend visiting areas with minimal light pollution and allowing at least 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Downloading a stargazing app can also help pinpoint where to look, noted Sparkes.
The planetary parade will continue through February, with Mercury joining the lineup at the end of the month. This will bring the total number of visible planets to seven, although spotting Mercury may require extra effort due to its faintness.
“These multi-planet viewing opportunities aren’t super rare, but they don’t happen every year, so it’s worth checking it out,” Preston Dyches from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory was quoted as saying in a report in The Independent.
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