Earthlings to Witness Spectacular ‘Planetary Pare’ by Late January: Suparco

In an official statement, Suparco announced that this “spectacular planetary parade” will be visible to stargazers next week.

Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn can be seen without any equipment, while Neptune and Uranus will require telescopes for observation.

Adding to the celestial excitement, a “rare seven-planet parade” is set to take place in late February, offering yet another visual treat. These planetary alignments will appear as a straight line from Earth’s perspective, creating an extraordinary cosmic view. “Though millions of miles apart, the planets seem to march together across the heavens,” said a Suparco representative.

Social Media Myths

Meanwhile, social media has been abuzz with claims that the upcoming planetary alignment on January 25 occurs “once in 396 billion years.” Suparco and experts have dismissed these claims, emphasizing that planetary alignments, while remarkable, are not rare or irregular phenomena.

Understanding the Planet Parade

A “planet parade” refers to the appearance of multiple planets visible in the night sky simultaneously.

While some planets, such as Uranus and Neptune, require telescopes, others—like Jupiter, Venus, and Mars—remain bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.

This is especially true during events when Venus and Mars reach their peak brightness.

Saturn and Mercury also contribute to the parade’s spectacle, making it possible to observe up to five planets unaided.

Why It’s Not a True Alignment

Despite the term “alignment,” planets do not converge at a single point. Their near-circular orbits keep them consistently aligned along the solar system’s plane.

This configuration, known as the ecliptic, is where the Sun and Moon also appear to travel, creating opportunities for eclipses and other celestial events.

The visibility of planets during such events depends on their relative positions in their orbits. Some are close to the Sun and lost in its glare, while others, farther away, are easily visible in the night sky.

Viewing Tips

For the best experience, choose a location with minimal light pollution and look toward the western sky shortly after sunset.