Planetary parade

In astronomy, a planetary parade, also known as a planetary alignment or planetary procession, occurs when multiple planets in the Solar System appear close together in the night sky, visible at the same time from Earth. However, a planetary parade is not a true alignment in space, but rather an apparent alignment that is the result of the planets' orbital positions relative to viewpoint of Earth-bound observers lying in an arc across the sky.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

A seven-planet planetary parade seen from France in 2022

A simulation of the same 2022 parade

Planetary parades of three, four or five planets are commonplace events, but larger planetary parades are less frequent.^[6] Because the motions of planets are predictable, the timing of planetary parades past and future can be easily calculated across long time periods.

Notable planetary parades

2025 planetary parade

Two large planetary parades occurred in 2025, aligning six and seven planets respectively.

The ongoing planetary alignment is the first phase of this astronomical event in 2025, which began on 21 January and ends on 21 February 2025.^[7] During this phase Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn will remain visible in the night sky.^[8]

The second phase of this astronomical event is predicted to occur on 28 February 2025 with seven planets. The planet Mercury will join with six other planets which were visible during the first phase.^[9]

2040 planetary parade

Following the 2025 parade, the next six-planet parade will not occur until 2040.^[6][10]

See also

• Syzygy (astronomy), a real collinear configuration of three or more celestial bodies
• Conjunction (astronomy), where two or more objects appear close together in the sky