Interest in celestial events such as solar eclipses is driving tourism in some areas, as stargazers and experience-led travellers seek out the best places for viewing the skies. With that in mind, would-be astronomers should note that a rare planetary alignment is taking place right now and until the end of February and beginning of March 2025 – including a special solar system show that will not be repeated for another five centuries.
What is a “planetary parade”?
A so-called “planetary parade” is not unusual in itself: the planets always appear to be aligned from the Earth’s perspective as they race around the sun along a plane called “the ecliptic”. But what makes the current phenomenon something attention-worthy is how bright and visible the line-up will be, with six or even more planets appearing together in a row at times.
Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Venus will all be visible in the evening from almost everywhere, according to most guidance. But some dates provide a better spectacle than others in certain locations. Most of the best January dates in places as far apart as Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York and Athens have now passed. However, the weekends of 25, 26 and 27 January and onwards to 31 January will all still provide some action for many people. Also, read on for February.
The rare 'planet parade' will be best seen tonight, when six planets align in an amazing arch. A wide arc that barely fits within your field of vision will be formed by the movements of Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Venus. pic.twitter.com/VOCMhmGTo0
— Parag Pimpalgaonkar (@paragshridharp) January 21, 2025
Can we see it without any equipment?
Areas with little light pollution and no tall buildings, trees and mountains make good venues and experts such as the UK’s Met Office advise stargazers to choose evenings with minimal cloud cover just after sunset and to let their eyes adjust for around half an hour for the best view.
Though it’s important to note that Neptune and Uranus are not observable with the naked eye, this still means “You’ll have the opportunity to take in four bright planets in a sweeping view,” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has said.
Venus and Saturn will rise in the southwest where they will linger for around two hours, while Jupiter will stun high overhead and Mars will put in an appearance in the east. In fact, Mars will be closer to the Earth than at any point in a two-year cycle, so will seem extra large and bright.
Once-in-five-centuries event
What’s more, on and around 28 February 2025 (depending on your exact location) Mercury will join the fun, meaning seven planets will seem aligned in a once-in-a-lifetime configuration that will not occur again until the year 2492. It’s worth taking a look from anywhere, but according to space enthusiast app Starwalk.space, the best dates and “sky sectors” for seeing the seven-planet parade around the world are as follows (weather willing of course):
- Tokyo: 22 February, 166-degree sky sector;
- Mexico: 25 February, 170-degree sky sector;
- New York: 25 February, 157-degree sky sector;
- Hong Kong: 27 February, 174-degree sky sector;
- Berlin: 2 March, 141-degree sky sector;
- London: 2 March, 142-degree sky sector;
- Sydney: 3 March, 122-degree sky sector;
- São Paulo: 4 March, 126-degree sky sector.
