Skywatchers have a unique opportunity this week to witness a rare planetary parade, where seven planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn—will be briefly visible together in the evening sky. This celestial event will not occur again in such a favorable alignment until 2040.

The best time to observe the planets is shortly after sunset from Tuesday to Friday. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be visible to the naked eye, while Saturn may be harder to spot due to its low position on the horizon. Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope.

Astronomers recommend finding a dark location with an unobstructed view of the horizon to maximize visibility. Venus and Jupiter will shine the brightest, while Mars will appear reddish. Saturn and Mercury will set quickly, so observers have only a short window to see them before they disappear below the horizon.

Dr. Edward Bloomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich advises allowing at least 30 minutes for eyes to adjust and avoiding phone screens for better visibility. Weather conditions may impact visibility, with Thursday and Friday expected to provide the clearest skies for this stunning cosmic display.