Alignments of five or more planets are rare—there will be two more featuring five or more planets this year, but after that the next won’t happen until 2040.

On Friday 17 January and Saturday 18 January, six planets will line up in the night sky, in an event that some astronomers refer to as a planetary parade. Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus will appear together in a row, although Neptune and Uranus will only be visible with binoculars or a telescope.

NASA and famed astronaut Buzz Aldrin say stargazers have the best chance of catching a glimpse of Saturn and Venus in alignment starting Saturday. The planets have been shuffling toward each other in the sky and will appear closest this weekend, appearing only inches apart to the human eye.

Any clear, cloudless night this month is ideal to spot the planets. To get in on the sighting, go outside on a clear night a few hours after sunset and face south, said Kevin Williams, planetarium director at Buffalo State University.

Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn will align in the sky on Jan. 21, resulting in both astronomical and astrological significance in the cosmos

This month's planetary alignment sees Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus visible in the night sky all at once. Here's what you need to know. View on euronews