When To See And Stream The Best ‘Planet Parade’ Since 1985—And Until 2036

What is that bright light in the sky after sunset? Although social media posts are spreading all kinds of misleading information about it, one thing is for sure—skywatchers currently have the chance to witness a spectacular view of the brightest planets in our solar system. It’s not the “rare planetary alignment” some are calling it, but rather a beautiful and not-to-be-missed opportunity to see—with the naked eye—Venus and Saturn shine in the west while Jupiter and Mars shine in the east, all in the post-sunset night sky.

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What Is a ‘Planet Parade?’

Despite social media buzz about a so-called “rare planetary alignment,” planets never align. Alignment implies planets form a straight line, which doesn’t happen. Planets orbit the sun along the ecliptic, the path of the sun in our daytime sky, which constitutes the solar system's plane.

Since the planets always travel along this path, they always appear “aligned” in a general sense. It’s more accurately described as a “planet parade,” a term used when multiple planets are visible in the same section of the sky.

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When and Where to Look

The best time to catch this planetary showcase is about 45 minutes after sunset when you are. The easiest to find is the brilliant Venus shining in the southwest. Just below it lies Saturn, about 110 times dimmer. Look to the southeast to find Jupiter glowing about eight times dimmer than Venus. It will be the highest planet in the sky. Below Jupiter, you’ll find Mars with its distinctive reddish (or is it golden?) hue. While dimmer than both Venus and Jupiter, it is still bright enough to spot easily.

The planets will remain visible for around three hours after sunset, with Venus and Saturn setting first. Uranus and Neptune are also in the night sky but far too faint to see without a telescope. Mercury, meanwhile, is currently in the morning sky and obscured by the sun’s glare.

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How Rare Is The ‘Planet Parade?’

Although this is not a special kind of alignment, it's relatively rare for all brightest planets to be simultaneously visible. “The parade of the planets in 2025 is one of the best line-ups we’ve had for 45 years,” said Robin Scagell, vice-president of the Society for Popular Astronomy and chairman of National Astronomy Week in the U.K., which takes place from Feb. 1-9, in a press release from the Royal Astronomical Society. “Not since April 1980, when Mars was close and we could see Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus, has there been such a fantastic opportunity to see half the solar system in all its glory.”

The next opportunity to see four planets so well placed in the evening sky is in 2036.

How To Stream The ‘Planet Parade’

If it's cloudy where you are, wait for clear skies. However, if you want to catch the "planet parade" online, head over to The Virtual Telescope Project at 17:30 UTC (12:30 p.m. EST) on Saturday, Jan. 25, for live-streamed views of the planet parade. It will also include telescopic views of Uranus and Neptune, making it a six-strong parade of planets.

However, if the weather is clear where you are around sunset, head outdoors and look southwest, then east. “If you haven’t looked up at the night sky for a while, this is the perfect chance to enjoy a sky full of interesting objects, with a treasure trove of interesting stars and planets on display,” said Dr. Jenny Shipway, coordinator of National Astronomy Week." Stargazing is an inspiring, uplifting, and calming experience.”

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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