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How to watch the planet parade with Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars : NPR
A youth looks through a telescope during a stargazing and comet-watching gathering at Joya-La Barreta Ecological Park in Queretaro, Mexico, on Oct. 19, 2024.
Ginnette Riquelme/AP
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Ginnette Riquelme/AP
Over the next few weeks, a stunning parade of planets will glow across the night sky, putting on a celestial spectacle that both amateur and seasoned stargazers can easily observe.
All month, four planets — Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars — will appear to line up and be bright enough to see with the naked eye in the first few hours after dark, according to NASA. Uranus and Neptune will be there, too, but will require binoculars or telescopes to spot.
“These multi-planet viewing opportunities aren’t super rare, but they don’t happen every year, so it’s worth checking it out,” NASA added.
A sky chart shows the planetary lineup visible after dark in January 2025.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
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NASA/JPL-Caltech
Since the beginning of January, Venus and Saturn have been drawing closer and closer to each other. The climax will take place Friday and Saturday, when the two planets will appear within just “a couple of finger widths’ distance apart” from Earth’s perspective, NASA said. (Though in reality, there are hundreds of millions of miles between them.)
Meanwhile, Mars is at “opposition” this month. That’s when a planet and the sun are directly opposite each other with Earth in between. This celestial event happens about every two years for the red planet.
Opposition is “around the time when the planet is at its closest to Earth, making it appear at its biggest and brightest,” NASA wrote.
For those planning to spot the cosmic lineup, NASA said Venus and Saturn will be visible in the southwest during the first couple of hours after dark. At that time, Jupiter will shine high overhead while Mars will rise in the east. A simple way to distinguish a star from a planet is that planets tend to shine steadily while stars twinkle, according to NASA.
In June 2024, a planet parade featuring Saturn, the Moon, Mars and Jupiter was on display in the morning sky but only two planets could be observed with the naked eye.
The celestial event of the planet parade is a breathtaking sight that astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers won’t want to miss. The planets Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will all be visible in the night sky, creating a stunning display that is sure to awe and inspire.
To watch the planet parade, all you need is a clear view of the night sky and a little bit of patience. Here are some tips on how to view this spectacular event:
1. Check the weather: Make sure to choose a clear night with minimal cloud cover for optimal viewing conditions.
2. Find a dark location: Head away from city lights and light pollution to a dark location with a clear view of the horizon.
3. Use a star chart or astronomy app: To help identify the planets and their positions in the sky, use a star chart or astronomy app on your phone.
4. Look to the west: Start by looking towards the west, where Venus will be the brightest object in the sky. Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will also be visible, forming a line across the sky.
5. Use binoculars or a telescope: While the planets may be visible to the naked eye, using binoculars or a telescope can enhance your viewing experience and allow you to see more detail.
6. Enjoy the show: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the planet parade as these celestial bodies align in the night sky.
So grab your binoculars, head outside, and witness this incredible planetary alignment. Don’t miss out on the chance to see Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars in all their glory as they parade across the night sky. Happy stargazing!
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planet parade, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, NPR, astronomy, stargazing, celestial event, planetary alignment, skywatching, outer space, celestial bodies
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