Unlock the Secrets of Tonight’s Celestial Alignment!

We are set to witness some stunning astronomical occurrences in 2025, including the Jan. 13 Wolf Moon and an extraordinary planetary parade, during which seven planets will align in the night sky, commencing tonight.

A planetary parade takes place when four or more planets appear to line up from our viewpoint on Earth, even though their precise alignment within the solar system is not physically achievable.

The 2025 planetary parade begins on Friday, Jan. 10, reaches its zenith on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and will continue until Friday, Feb. 21. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, Saturn, and Uranus will be visible to the unaided eye. Mercury will briefly be part of the parade on Jan. 25, although it may be hard to see due to its closeness to the sun.

For all of the most significant celestial happenings in 2025, check our extensive astronomical calendar as well as our guide to all the comets heading our way this year.

Here is all you need to know about the planet parade.

What does the parade of planets signify?

The parade of planets is an astronomical event where multiple planets appear aligned or clustered in the night sky from the perspective of Earth.

Although the planets are not literally aligned in space, they present a visually captivating arrangement along the ecliptic plane, the perceived trajectory of the sun across the sky.

The nature of this phenomenon can vary from a minor planetary alignment involving three planets to a grand parade displaying all the significant planets of the solar system.

How infrequent is a planet parade?

The infrequency of a planet parade is influenced by the number of planets involved and their arrangement. Planet parades can be classified into distinct types, as per Star Walk:

• Mini planet parade (three planets): This is relatively common, occurring several times per year.
• Moderate planet parade (four or five planets): Happens approximately every one to two years.
• Large planet parades (six or seven planets): These are considerably rarer, happening roughly once every 10 to 20 years.
• Grand alignments (all eight planets): True grand alignments involving all eight planets are exceedingly rare, taking place once every 100 to 200 years or more.

When did all the planets last align?

The most recent occasion when all eight planets were aligned occurred on Dec. 28, 2022, based on information from Sky and Telescope.org.

A six-planet parade took place in June 2024.

When can you witness the parade of planets?

The planetary parade will start forming on Friday, Jan. 10, as the planets gradually align in the night sky, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.

The alignment will reach its peak on Jan. 21, when Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, Saturn, and Uranus will be visible together. The planets will remain viewable until the end of February, with optimal viewing conditions occurring right after sunset.

What planets will align in 2025?

In 2025, six planets will align: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn, according to Live Science.com.

On Jan. 25, Mercury will briefly participate in the planetary parade, creating a unique alignment of all seven planets observable from Earth. However, locating Mercury will be difficult due to its diminutive size and closeness to the sun, where its brightness obscures it from the naked eye.

Where will the Planet Parade be viewable?

Most, if not all, places in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico should be able to observe the planetary parade. In Arizona, look towards the southwestern horizon shortly after sunset.

Can the planet parade be observed without a telescope?

A substantial portion of the planet parade can be observed without a telescope, though visibility is contingent on the darkness of your location and the brightness of each planet.

Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn are sufficiently bright to be seen with the naked eye. Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune require a telescope or powerful binoculars due to their much lower brightness.

For optimal viewing, find a location with a dark sky and minimal light pollution, along with a clear horizon view.

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