Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A highly anticipated celestial event, known as a planetary parade, is set to grace the night skies in January 2025. Skywatchers will have the rare opportunity to observe five of Earth’s neighboring planets align in a single night.
According to researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency’s (BRIN) Space Research Center, Gerhana Puanandra Putri states thta the phenomenon will be visible on January 20-21, 2025. During this event, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will appear in close alignment.
“However, only four of these planets — Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — will be visible to the naked eye,” Putri said in a statement, as reported by Detik.
What is a Planetary Parade?
A planetary parade occurs when several planets align in the night sky, appearing on the same side of the Sun from Earth’s perspective. According to Star Walk Space, while the term ‘alignment’ might suggest a perfectly straight line, the planets do not actually form a single linear arrangement in space. Instead, they appear grouped together in the same general region of the sky.
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Due to their unique orbital paths, planets in our solar system rarely form a perfect line. However, during specific moments, they cluster closely on one side of the Sun, creating a stunning celestial display.
Uncommon Planetary Parade
NASA explains that throughout January 2025, four planets will be prominently visible in the evening sky. Venus and Saturn will shine in the southwest, Jupiter will dominate the overhead sky, and Mars will be visible in the east. While Uranus and Neptune will also be present, a telescope will be required to spot them.
Though planetary alignments were commonly happened, the simultaneous visibility of four or five bright planets in one night is an uncommon occurrence and considered rare spectacle. Therefore, the upcoming January 2025 alignment is expected to be one of the most striking celestial events of the year, offering astronomy enthusiasts a remarkable sight to behold.
(Raidi/Agung)
