Planetary parade 2025 to be visible in India this January and March; know its date, timing and viewing tips

A planetary parade, also called a planetary alignment is a rare celestial phenomenon by which more than one planet seems to lie in a line parallel to the Earth. Such alignment takes place in case when all the planets are on one side of the Sun. Although it is a rare occurrence for all the planets to align perfectly, previous planetary parades have seen alignments of several key planets, such as Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. In some cases, even planets like Neptune and Uranus are visible, though they require telescopes for observation.

A planetary parade will take place in January 2025, with the alignment of six planets. They are Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus. In India one can view on January 21 that would last for about four weeks, during which skywatchers will have enough time to observe this phenomenon. At this time, these planets will align along a similar line in the sky. Only of these- Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn-are seen with the naked eye; however, Neptune and Uranus will only be visible with the help of a telescope.

The planetary parade will be visible worldwide, including India. The best time to see the alignment in India would be after sunset at around 8:30 p.m. on January 21. When the sun sets, the sky will get dark, and observers will be able to see the planets aligned. However, the people who want to observe Neptune and Uranus will need a telescope.
The visibility of the planets would depend on several factors such as local weather conditions and light pollution in the region. The best view is possible when it is found in an area that is less disturbed by light, preferably a rural or an area that is away from city lights.

Another planetary parade will occur in March 2025, providing a second chance for skywatchers to witness this rare event. On March 8, 2025, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, and Mercury will be aligned in the sky. In this parade, Mercury will join the previously aligned planets. Additionally, a crescent moon may appear in the night sky during this event, adding to the visual spectacle. The best time to view the planetary parade in March will also be after sunset, with March 8 being the peak of the event.

Planetary alignment means Earth and other planets in the solar system align on one straight line, presumably on the same side of the Sun. The possibility is rare since there is no exactly similar orbit for all nine planets, yet alignments of a few of them happen often. The phenomenon is more dramatic when the planets appear to be close to each other in the sky because they appear to be almost aligned in a straight line when they are near each other.
However, while this alignment might look impressive from Earth, the planets are still millions of miles apart in space. They do not physically line up as they would in a parade on Earth but appear to do so when viewed from our vantage point.

A planetary parade offers an unusual opportunity for astronomers and sky-watchers to gaze at the solar system and all its planets. Events such as this one give mankind a better look at the positions and movements of the planets, bringing more insight and knowledge to a broader perspective. The phenomenon of planetary parades also reminds humankind of its natural rhythms and cycles. Even though planetary parades do not impact Earth directly, they offer opportunities for impressive scientific observation and public interest in space exploration.
The planetary parade is one of the fascinating and less common sights of a stargazer, who would be given an opportunity to witness the alignment of multiple planets at night. This will come twice in 2025; once in January 2025 and then in March 2025. Whether with the naked eye or a telescope, these events remind us of the size and activity of our solar system. They also give space observation much importance, making people have more appreciation for the cosmos.
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