A rare celestial event is set to take place this week, as seven planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Mercury—will align in the night sky. This “planetary parade” won’t happen again until 2040, making it a once-in-a-generation sight.
The alignment occurs because all the planets orbit the Sun on the same plane, though at vastly different speeds. While Mercury completes an orbit in just 88 days, Neptune takes 165 years, making these occasional lineups particularly special.
Experts say the best time to view the event will be just after sunset in a location with minimal light pollution. Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter will be the easiest to spot, while Mars will appear as a small orange dot. Uranus and Neptune may require binoculars or a telescope.
Scientists emphasize that while planetary alignments are visually stunning, they have no significant gravitational effect on Earth. If you miss this one, your next chance to witness a similar event will be in 2040.
Image Credits: Shutterstock
