Planetary parade lights up the sky

Dr Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, said: “The best time to observe the planetary parade is on 21 January, just after sunset. While the alignment will be visible for several weeks, another notable alignment will occur on 28 February.

“On 21 January, six planets will align: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn.
On 28 February a seven-planet alignment will occur, including Mercury along with the six planets mentioned above.”

“Planetary alignments occur because the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun within roughly the same plane, known as the ecliptic plane. As they orbit at different speeds and distances from the Sun, there are moments when they appear to line up from Earth's perspective. This alignment is a visual phenomenon rather than a physical one, as the planets remain separated by millions or even billions of kilometres in space.

“There is no significant effect on Earth from planetary alignments regarding tides or weather. The gravitational influence of the planets on Earth is negligible compared to that of the Moon and the Sun. While some speculative theories suggest minor influences on solar activity, these are not supported by robust scientific evidence.”

Viewing Tips from Dr Balaji:

• Find a location away from city lights
• Consider using binoculars or a small telescope, as comets often appear dimmer than predicted
• Use current astronomical software or websites to find the comet's latest position
• Exercise caution when observing near sunrise or sunset
• Check reliable astronomy websites for updated viewing information as the date approaches