While planetary alignments aren’t particularly rare, the sight of six visible planets in the night sky is an event worth observing.
This January, stargazers will have the opportunity to witness a “planet parade” featuring six planets lined up across the sky, though it’s not as extraordinary as it may first appear.
The key reason behind planetary alignments, or the appearance of planets in a line, lies in the way the planets orbit the Sun. The planets in our solar system follow orbits along a plane called the ecliptic, meaning they are often positioned roughly along the same line in the sky when viewed from Earth. While this alignment is a common occurrence, the specific visibility of several bright planets at once, as will happen in January, is a bit rarer.
The January “planet parade” features four visible planets—Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn—that can be seen with the naked eye. In addition to these, two faint planets, Uranus and Neptune, will also be part of the alignment, though they will require a telescope to be clearly seen. This planetary arrangement is particularly notable because it’s not every year that so many bright planets are visible at once, even if the alignment itself is not unusual.
From January through February, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will all be visible to those in areas with minimal light pollution. Venus and Saturn will be best seen in the southwest during the first couple of hours after sunset, while Jupiter will shine brightly high overhead, and Mars will rise in the east. Uranus and Neptune will be visible, but only through more powerful equipment, and they will be relatively faint in comparison.
For those looking to catch the full spectacle, NASA notes that this planetary alignment, while not technically rare, is still a special sight when so many planets can be seen at once. Stargazers should look for Venus as the brightest “star” in the sky, with Saturn faintly below it. Jupiter will be located in the southeast, with Mars close by in the east. The two outer planets, Uranus and Neptune, will be more challenging to spot without advanced equipment, appearing as small, dim specks.
Additionally, for the best viewing experience, remember that planets typically don’t twinkle like stars. This is because they are closer to Earth and shine with more concentrated, non-twinkling light. The planetary alignment will remain visible for a few days before and after the peak moment, with more details available through astronomy apps and websites that can simulate local viewing conditions.
USA Today and the Washington Post contributed to this report.
