Sky Enthusiasts Observe Rare Planetary Alignment This Week

A rare astronomical event known as the “Planetary Parade” will feature seven planets of the solar system—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn—aligning in the night sky. This phenomenon will not be seen again until 2040.

The best opportunities to observe the maximum number of planets will be right after sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Four planets—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars—will be visible to the naked eye. However, spotting Saturn will be more challenging as it is positioned low on the horizon. To view Uranus and Neptune, a telescope will be necessary.

As the sun sets, Mercury and Saturn will quickly disappear beyond the horizon, leaving only a few minutes to search for them. Afterward, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will remain aligned in the sky for a significantly longer time. The planets orbit the sun in paths that nearly lie within the same plane, making this event a spectacular sight for stargazers.