“Celestial Spectacle: Witness the Rare Alignment of Six Planets This Month!”

Astronomers in Michigan ready to spend time outdoors this month are in for an enjoyable experience.

Six celestial bodies will “align” in the heavens for a parade of planets, with four of them observable to the unaided eye after twilight.

Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars are luminous enough to be seen without visual assistance, as noted by EarthSky. Uranus and Neptune, however, are less brilliant and will necessitate high-powered binoculars or a telescope for viewing.

Planets generally appear along a trajectory referred to as the ecliptic, according to NASA, so this “alignment” is not particularly unique, but witnessing four or five bright planets simultaneously—a rare occurrence that does not happen every year—is indeed extraordinary.

Here are some recommendations for stargazers to appreciate the spectacle this month.

Which planets are easy to spot in the night sky?

The five most luminous planets can be located in the evening sky. Mercury is also regarded as a bright planet, but due to its proximity to the sun, it is challenging to observe. The others are:

Which planets are aligned this January?

This week, observe the six planets — Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune.

More: When will the full moons of 2025 occur? Here’s what to find out

Where should I direct my gaze in the sky?

During the initial hours after sunset, Venus and Saturn will be positioned to the southwest, Jupiter directly above, and Mars in the east, according to NASA.

Mars is positioned in opposition throughout January, meaning it will be directly opposite the Sun from Earth and will shine brightly throughout the night.

The best locations to view planets in Michigan

Michigan boasts six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks, and an international dark sky sanctuary.

• The Alpena region includes three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson’s Harbor State Park, and Negwegon State Park.
• Located in Mackinac City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, 15675 Headlands Road.
• In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front St.
• In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
• In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station, 18335 N. Whitefish Point Road, and Tahquamenon Falls State Park at 41382 W. M-123.
• In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park, 1775 Port Austin Road.
• In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 5505 Morey Highway.
• In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park, 903 Wilderness Park Drive.
• Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international destinations. Lastly, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area functions as an international sanctuary.

Applications to download for stargazing

Here are nine applications for celestial observation, highlighting their unique features for both Apple and Android users, as reported by Space.com.

• SkySafari 7 Pro is lauded as the best choice for serious astronomers, allowing users to plan stargazing adventures.
• PhotoPills is ideal for capturing images and aiming for a cosmic event.
• Night Sky 11 permits users to point their mobile device skyward to unveil a grid of details, labeling stars.
• The NASA app is excellent for accessing the latest NASA photographs and updates regarding NASA missions.
• Stellarium Mobile Plus is favored for its realistic imagery and maps.
• Star Walk 2 is recommended for novices owing to its user-friendly interface and clear information.
• SkyView features an interactive map that assists users in identifying and learning about stars.
• Star Chart is the best free application for recognizing constellations.
• Sky Tonight, with a free version available, is recognized for realistic and immersive learning experiences.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com

USA Today provided input for this report.