
A representational image. — Canva
Tonight, stargazers around the world will be treated to a rare astronomical event, as six planets — Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — align in the night sky.
This spectacular phenomenon, known as a "planetary parade," will be visible to the naked eye under clear skies, with some planets requiring only minimal equipment, such as binoculars or telescopes, for a better view.
How to watch the planetary parade
For those unable to witness the alignment in person, the Virtual Telescope Project in Italy will provide a live webcast of the event. The livestream, hosted by renowned astrophysicist Gianluca Masi, begins at 12:30pm ET on January 25 and will include live commentary and telescope views of the planets.
In addition, several observatories and parks across the United States are organising special viewing events for the planetary parade. The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, the Hayden Planetarium in New York, and the McDonald Observatory in Texas will host telescope sessions to offer attendees the best possible view of the alignment.
What to expect tonight
The four brightest planets — Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus — will be easily visible within the first few hours after sunset. However, spotting Neptune and Uranus will require the aid of binoculars or a telescope due to their dimmer appearance.
Although some reports have dubbed this alignment a "once in 396 billion years" event, astronomers clarified that planetary alignments are not unusual. What makes this event remarkable is the rare visibility of six planets at the same time, offering a unique treat for stargazers.
The planetary parade has been visible since 18 January and is expected to continue until mid-February, providing plenty of opportunities for enthusiasts to catch a glimpse of this celestial spectacle.