The start of this year brought many occasions for star watchers to look into the deep sky and check out some amazing patterns adorned by the space. And planetary parade was one of them, in which many of the planets of our solar system were aligned in a straight line. The month of January was filled with these occasions, and there is no sad news for the people who missed the celestial magic. As you can see the planetary parade ]this month also.
Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn—will all be briefly visible in the evening sky this week. This rare phenomenon, known as a 'planetary parade,' offers a spectacular visual treat and will be the last time such an alignment is visible so well until 2040. The best chance to witness this alignment will be just after sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. "There's a rare opportunity to have seven planets in essentially a convenient place for you to look for them," said Dr. Edward Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Planets That Are Alligning
Four of the planets—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars—will be visible to the naked eye, while Saturn may be more challenging to spot due to its lower position on the horizon. Telescopes will be necessary to observe Uranus and Neptune. As the sun sets, Saturn and Mercury will also be setting, making them particularly difficult to see. "You really only have a few minutes after sunset to catch them before they drop below the horizon. After that, you'll still be able to see Venus, Jupiter, and Mars clearly for a much longer time," Dr. Bloomer added.
Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest to locate due to their brightness, while Mars will appear with its distinctive reddish hue. "Uranus is technically visible with the naked eye, but you'd need perfect eyesight and ideal conditions," Dr. Bloomer explains.
To maximize the chances of seeing all seven planets, experts advise heading to locations with clear views of the horizon and minimal light pollution. "If you just pop out of your kitchen into your back garden, you will take time to adjust to the light levels. Give it a bit of time—your eyes take about half an hour to fully adjust," said Dr. Bloomer. "Avoid looking at your phone, get comfortable, and ensure you have an unobstructed view of the horizon."
Another Chance in 2025
For those who may miss this week's celestial show, another rare planetary alignment is set to occur on February 28, 2025, when all seven planets will align again in a "great planetary alignment." "You can go on Google and get a more spectacular view of all these planets. But there is something special about looking at the planets with your own eyes. It’s a humbling experience," said Jenifer Millard, a science communicator and astronomer at Fifth Star Labs in the UK. NASA states that Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter and Saturn will be visible without extra optical tools yet observers need telescope assistance to see Neptune and Uranus. You will observe the perfect moment during sunset on February 28 2025 to witness this event.
The rarity of planetary alignments is quite uncommon but the exclusive presentation of Mercury and Venus during this alignment makes it truly extraordinary because these inner planets face observational challenges. The four planet alignment of August 2025 will occur but it will be less spectacular than the February event according to astronomers.
Best Time to Watch the 2025 Planetary Parade
A substantial part of the solar system exists on the ecliptic followed by Sun because planets follow this plane during orbits yet we only observe them in line together for brief periods. Many planets in our solar system take various speeds to reach the Sun which occasionally creates opportunities for Earth-based observers to see them form a breathtaking arrangement. The most ideal moment for observing the 2025 planetary alignment will occur during the period shortly following sunset on Friday.
Though difficult to achieve due to planet orbits existing in a three-dimensional space the planetary group will not assemble in a direct line. Viewers need clear skies and a planned observation to see this remarkable event producing remarkable visuals which people will discuss for multiple years. Such astronomical alignments will only appear one more time before 2040 thus creating a historical observation opportunity. Scientists as well as those who observe stars through space eagerly watch for this remarkable line-up between planets.
For those looking to observe the night sky more frequently, Dr. Bloomer encourages regular stargazing. "See how things change," he said, adding that observing celestial movements offers "a chance to witness the ongoing mechanics of the solar system at work.