This January, skywatchers are in for a treat as a rare planetary alignment lights up the night sky. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars are visible to the naked eye shortly after sunset, with Uranus and Neptune also joining the celestial show for those with a telescope. This unique event, often referred to as a “planetary parade,” occurs when planets align along the same orbital plane, known as the ecliptic.
According to NASA, the best viewing time for the alignment will be in the first two hours after sunset. Venus and Saturn will be located low in the southwestern sky, and Venus will shine as the brightest object. Jupiter will be seen high overhead, and Mars, with its reddish color, will rise in the eastern sky shortly after dark. Venus and Saturn will be at their closest position to each other around January 17-18, but in the month, Saturn will move closer to the horizon as Venus climbs higher.
Both Uranus and Neptune will also align but may be difficult to see since they are not very bright. The reports suggest Uranus may appear close to Jupiter, and Neptune trails off more southwest. EarthSky suggests that to begin the hunt, start on the west just after sunset by focusing first on Venus, then tracking down the alignment through the sky.
Although planetary alignments are not rare events because the planets share the same orbital plane, seeing four or more planets simultaneously is relatively rare. The event has already been accompanied by other celestial spectacles this month, such as the Quadrantid meteor shower on January 3 and the moon’s occultation of Mars on January 13.
For astronomy enthusiasts, this alignment offers a unique opportunity to witness the collective beauty of the planets. Whether viewed with the naked eye or through a telescope, this alignment is sure to captivate stargazers throughout January. To explore more about this and other astronomical events this month, visit NASA’s website or check out resources like EarthSky for detailed viewing guides.
