Four Planets Align in Night Sky: Rare Celestial Event Visible Through February

PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — A rare celestial event is lighting up the night sky as four planets — Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars — align in a stunning planetary parade visible to the naked eye. The alignment, which began Saturday evening, will continue through mid-February, offering stargazers a unique opportunity to witness the cosmic spectacle.

According to NASA, the planets will be brightest during the new moon phase on January 29. Venus and Saturn will appear closest together on Friday and Saturday, appearing just “a couple of finger widths’ distance apart” from Earth‘s perspective. Meanwhile, Mars is at “opposition,” a phenomenon that occurs when the planet and the sun are directly opposite each other with Earth in between. This makes Mars appear larger and brighter than usual.

“These multi-planet viewing opportunities aren’t super rare, but they don’t happen every year, so it’s worth checking it out,” NASA said in a statement. Venus and Saturn will be visible in the southwest during the first few hours after dark, while Jupiter will shine high overhead and Mars will rise in the east.

For those eager to spot the alignment, NASA recommends looking for steady lights in the sky, as planets tend to shine more consistently than twinkling stars. While Uranus and Neptune are also part of the lineup, they will require binoculars or telescopes to observe.

Weather conditions may affect visibility this weekend, with overcast skies expected Saturday and Sunday. However, clearer skies are forecast for Monday, providing better viewing opportunities. This planetary alignment is one of three expected this year, with the next similar event not occurring for another 136 years.