Planet Parade to be seen mid-January skies

Report by Mandie Asejo | Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), six planets are expected to align in a rare astronomical event known as a "planet parade" occurring in mid-January. 

The planets expected to align are Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Uranus, and Neptune. Among these, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars can be observed with the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune require a telescope for viewing. 

Planets orbit the Sun nearly in the same plane known as the ecliptic. Though their orbits are different from one another, at some points they overlap with each other sufficiently to cause visual effects of alignment as observed from Earth. 

The Philippines-based observers will be able to see this phenomenon all throughout January. During early evening, the pair of Venus and Saturn will appear in the southwest, Jupiter very high overhead, and Mars is rising in the east. 

In contrast, a naked eye alone will suffice in viewing Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. A minimum of a small telescope or strong pair of binoculars must be used in viewing Neptune and Uranus. 

Despite appearances suggesting that planetary alignments are commonplace events, their happening with four or more occurring in the visible skies is relatively uncommon, which explains why record keeping of their sightings is practiced. 

It is best to observe the alignment from a location having minimal light pollution and a clear view of the horizon. The phenomenon is best viewed during the first few hours of the onset of darkness during the evening. 

This position of the planets gives the scope for any astronomer to see the functioning of our solar system and how the planets are in a position to continue with that particular course. 

From the Earth, they appear lined up but in fact are not actually aligned with one another in space. Instead, they’re just seen lined up through our line-of-sight view along the ecliptic plane from where the positions of these planets lie. 

For further information and sky watching tips, visit National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) January 2025 Sky watching Guide. PAGASA also publishes Astronomical Diary with local viewing details.