Get ready to witness a stunning celestial event – a rare alignment of four bright planets in January’s night sky. According to NASA, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will shine brightly together this month, creating a “planetary parade” that is a must-see for stargazers.
In a video guide released by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, astronomer Preston Dyches explains the opportunity to observe these four planets in conjunction. While it’s true that they appear along a line across the sky, this alignment is nothing new. The planets orbit around the sun in their respective planes, making them appear close together from our perspective on Earth.
Venus and Saturn will be extremely close on January 17-18, while Mars will rise in the eastern sky and shine bright with a reddish hue when viewed through telescopes or binoculars. Jupiter will dominate the night sky, shining brightly overhead, and Uranus and Neptune can also be spotted – although they require a telescope to observe.
This month-long spectacle offers multiple opportunities for stargazers to witness these planets’ unique characteristics. Don’t miss this chance to see Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in January’s night sky!
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/how-to-see-a-planet-parade-of-4-bright-planets-in-january-night-sky-video