The year 2025 is starting off with an exciting celestial event for skygazers, as a planet parade is now visible in the night sky. A planet parade occurs when several of our solar system’s planets are visible in the night sky at the same time. This time around, there are six planets visible in the night sky, including Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus. Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn can be seen with the naked eye, while Neptune and Uranus require a high-powered viewing device like a telescope. The best time to view the planets from the Northern Hemisphere is just after sunset around 8:30 p.m. local time, with Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus remaining visible for a few more hours until just before sunrise.
This planet parade is set to last for a longer period than previous ones because the planets are in advantageous positions in the sky. All six planets can be seen nightly until the last week of February, with Mercury briefly joining them for a couple of days, forming a planetary parade of all seven planets in the solar system except Earth. By March, Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune will have moved too close to the sun to be visible, leaving Jupiter, Mars, and Uranus in the night sky until the next parade begins. The planets can be seen in the southeastern and southwestern skies at around 9:30 p.m. local time, making it a spectacular sight for skywatchers.
The planet parade is visible in most, if not all, locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico due to its long duration and limited planetary movement. The best time to view the parade is after Jan. 21 and before Feb. 21, with the week of Jan. 29 being optimal during the new moon phase when light pollution is reduced. Special equipment, such as a telescope, is needed to spot Neptune and Uranus, as they are too far away to be seen with the naked eye. The shadowed moon will make it easier to spot these planets, as well as Saturn, Venus, and Mercury as they dip below the horizon after sunset.
To find the planets in the sky, tools like Stellarium’s website, Time and Date’s Night Sky Map, and apps like Star Walk 2 can be helpful in locating each planet’s position in relation to the others. Understanding what a planetary parade is can enhance the viewing experience, as it refers to a colloquial term for when four or more planets line up in the night sky at once. While the official term is planetary alignment, the concept remains the same – when several planets are visible in the night sky simultaneously. This celestial event offers a unique opportunity for sky enthusiasts to witness the beauty and wonder of our solar system.
Overall, the planet parade in 2025 provides a rare opportunity to view multiple planets in the night sky and appreciate the wonders of our solar system. With the planets visible to the naked eye and through telescopes, skywatchers can enjoy a spectacular display of celestial bodies. By understanding the optimal viewing times and utilizing tools to locate the planets, viewers can make the most of this planetary parade and immerse themselves in the beauty of the night sky. The phenomenon of planetary parades offers a glimpse into the vastness and complexity of the universe, reminding us of the marvels that exist beyond our own planet Earth.
