Last Chance to Witness This Celestial Event Until 2040

Stargazers will have a unique opportunity this week as seven planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn—briefly align in the evening sky.

This rare astronomical event, often called a “planetary parade,” will not be visible in this way again until 2040. The best time to observe the alignment will be shortly after sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Four of the planets—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars—can be seen with the naked eye. However, Saturn will be low on the horizon and harder to spot, while Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope.

Dr Edward Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, highlighted the challenge of catching all seven planets at once. “You’ll only have a short window after sunset to see them before Mercury and Saturn dip below the horizon,” he explained.

The alignment occurs because the planets orbit the Sun in roughly the same plane as Earth. At certain points, their positions create the illusion of a straight-line formation from our perspective, though they remain vast distances apart in space.

To maximise visibility, experts recommend choosing a location with a clear horizon and minimal light pollution. “Your eyes need time to adjust to the darkness,” Dr Bloomer advised. “Avoid looking at your phone, and give it about 30 minutes to adapt.”

Venus and Jupiter will stand out due to their brightness, while Mars will appear with a distinct reddish hue. Uranus, though faintly visible under perfect conditions, is typically best seen with optical aid.

Weather conditions may impact visibility, with cloudy spells expected early in the week. However, clearer skies are anticipated by Thursday and Friday, offering the best chance to witness the celestial display.

For those hoping to capture the event, astronomers encourage people to share their images of this rare planetary alignment.