'Once-in-a-lifetime': Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn align on this day next week

Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh

Planetary Spectacle

A rare celestial show unfolds this January as Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn light up the night sky in a stunning planetary parade, according to NASA.

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Venus Glow

Venus dazzles in the southwestern sky just after sunset, its brilliance making it one of the easiest planets to spot on January 21.

Jupiter’s Dominance

High in the overhead sky, Jupiter shines brightly throughout the night, offering a mesmerizing view for stargazers armed with telescopes or binoculars.

Mars Rises

Mars, with its signature ruddy hue, graces the eastern sky later in the evening, drawing attention as it reaches its closest approach to Earth this year.

Saturn’s Spotlight

Saturn joins the parade in the early evening, glowing steadily in the southwest alongside Venus for a spectacular start to the night.

Ecliptic Alignment

The planets appear to form a line across the sky along the ecliptic, a celestial path marking the plane of the solar system’s orbit.

Representative pic

Celestial Guide

Preston Dyches of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory emphasizes that while these alignments aren’t rare, they’re worth witnessing for their sheer beauty.

Stargazing Tools

NASA suggests binoculars or telescopes to enhance the experience. Guides like the Celestron StarSense Explorer can elevate your viewing adventure.

Astronomy Reminder

This parade highlights the dynamic beauty of our solar system, offering a glimpse into the cosmic dance that connects planets, stars, and Earth.