Planetary Convergence on January 21

Witnessing the Rare Alignment: A Guide to Viewing Six Planets on January 21

Observing planets is one of the most awe-inspiring ways to witness the magic of the night sky. A planetary alignment occurs when multiple planets line up next to each other, making it a rare and spectacular sight. On January 21, six planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will be visible simultaneously in the sky, and their alignment will be easily visible from almost all parts of the globe.

The Alignment: A Rare Occurrence

Alignments of five or more planets are quite rare. There will be two more planetary alignments featuring five or more planets this year, but after that, the next alignment of five or more planets won’t happen until 2040. This January alignment is a unique opportunity to witness six planets in one night sky.

How to Watch

To get the best view, allow 20 to 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. You’ll want to see this planetary alignment after the sun has set and from a location far away from artificial light, which makes it hard to see objects in the night sky. The planets will appear in an arc from east to west.

Mars will be visible to the naked eye, appearing directly under the constellation Gemini. Jupiter will be visible to the naked eye as well, but a pair of high-powered binoculars or a backyard telescope will allow you to see its moons and possibly its cloud bands. Uranus, on the other hand, requires a good pair of high-powered binoculars or a backyard telescope to see.

The Planetary Lineup

Here’s what you can expect to see:

• Mars: Visible in the east, directly under Gemini.

• Jupiter: Visible to the west of Mars, in the constellation Taurus.

• Uranus: Visible about 50 degrees to the west of Jupiter and slightly below it.

• Neptune: Visible above the constellation Aquarius, near the western horizon.

• Venus: Visible low in the sky toward the west.

• Saturn: Visible low in the sky toward the west.

Tips for Viewing

The best time to view the planets is shortly after sunset. Three of them—Venus, Saturn, and Neptune—set between approximately 9 and 10:30 pm local time. Note that the exact time each planet rises and sets will vary slightly according to your location on Earth. Use a website like Time and Date to find the exact timings for where you are.

The moon will be a waning gibbous on January 21, but it won’t rise until shortly after midnight local time, so it won’t interfere with your ability to see the planetary alignment if you’re viewing shortly after sunset. Viewing conditions will remain ideal throughout the rest of January and into February, providing there isn’t cloud cover.

Getting Started

If you miss the chance to observe the night sky on January 21, don’t worry: There is plenty of time to see this planetary parade. Download a stargazing app like Stellarium to help you easily locate the planets and other celestial objects in your area.