The countdown has begun for one of January’s most thrilling astronomical events! A stunning spectacle is on the horizon as six planets will align in the sky, creating a breathtaking arc shape. Known as the 'planetary alignment,' this rare occurrence marks a unique multi-planet phase. So, when will this cosmic event happen, and which planets will align for this awe-inspiring sky show? Keep reading to find out!
Six planets will form an arc across the sky. The visual spectacle will begin at the end of January and continue through February. So, will the planetary alignment be visible? Which planets will align? Let's find out 👇
Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Venus will align to form an arc in the sky. This rare event, visible from different parts of the world for about four weeks, will be visible to the naked eye. However, we will only be able to see Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn.
The process begins with the conjunction of the planets, starting between January 17 and 18. During these dates, Venus and Saturn will start to appear after sunset. By January 25, Jupiter and Mars will also shine brightly in the sky. Mars, known as the Red Planet, may even show its characteristic red color. On January 25, Uranus and Neptune will also take their places in the arc, but they will remain too faint to be seen. This captivating event will continue into February, with some planets becoming more prominent while others will fade.
To observe all six planets at once, you will need a high-powered imaging device like a telescope. If you're observing with the naked eye, look toward the sky from southeast to southwest. Even though Neptune and Uranus may not be visible, you will be able to see Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn.
As you may know, all the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun at different distances and speeds. This causes them to move across our sky. During this movement, their paths sometimes appear to intersect due to the distances between them, leading to an alignment or conjunction. Of course, this doesn't mean they form a perfect straight line in space. Instead, from Earth's perspective, a celestial event occurs where multiple planets appear close to each other in the sky.
Planetary alignments involving 5 to 7 planets are rare celestial events that will happen more frequently in 2025 than in previous years. On April 15, 2025, Neptune, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus will align. On August 11, 2025, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn will align.