Celestial Showcase: A Galactic Parade Welcomes the New Year!

Throughout January, the planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be observable to the naked eye simultaneously in the night sky. Neptune and Uranus are also present, but viewers will require optical assistance to see them. The planets will appear in a line in the sky due to their shared orbital plane around the sun, known as the ecliptic. Mercury will also make an appearance for a few days starting January 25, allowing all seven celestial bodies to briefly share the evening sky at sunset. 

It is common for multiple planets to be seen together in the night sky. What makes this occasion distinctive is the number of planets that will be visible simultaneously. “Such a situation doesn’t arise frequently where numerous planets can be seen in the night sky, but it does occur,” stated Alan Cousins, vice president of the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold. “It’s determined by the varying orbits and the differing speeds of the planets as they revolve around the sun, in relation to one another and to Earth. This month certainly presents a remarkable opportunity.”

Labeling this phenomenon an “alignment” may be an exaggeration since the planets won’t be perfectly arranged one behind the other on a single side of the sun. A more fitting description used by NASA is a “parade of planets.” Nevertheless, from an observational viewpoint, it’s an excellent occasion to observe multiple planets in one night. “For casual stargazers, they’ll be able to see Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars without any equipment during the evening. Also, with the right knowledge of where to look, they can spot Uranus and Neptune using binoculars or a telescope,” Mr. Cousins remarked.

Depending on cloud coverage, cooler weather can sometimes lead to clearer stargazing conditions. “We’re looking through numerous miles of atmosphere, and even when it is cold and clear, it’s subject to the movement of various atmospheric layers,” Mr. Cousins clarified. “Our atmosphere isn’t always perfectly stable. Hence, even if it seems clear, if the stars are twinkling, that likely indicates the atmosphere isn’t quite stable. It might not offer the best viewing; however, it ultimately depends on the conditions of each night.”

Later this year, the sun will hit its solar maximum — the peak period of the 11-year solar cycle — which could result in more vivid auroras similar to those observed in our region last fall. “Such events can’t be forecasted. As solar activity rises, the chances for significant solar flares and the subsequent auroras increase,” Mr. Cousins speculated. “As we approach the solar maximum, the likelihood of these occurrences is heightened, though it remains unpredictable.”

If you’re still hoping for the planets to genuinely align, you may face disappointment: According to EarthSky.org, the eight planets only align within 3.6 degrees of the sky every 396 billion years. Currently, the sun is about 4.6 billion years old and is anticipated to transform into a red giant in approximately 5 to 6 billion years, engulfing the inner planets — including our own — in the process.