Seven planets are lining up for a rare show in the evening sky this week, and it won’t happen again until 2040. Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn will all be visible—briefly—right after sunset. If you miss it, you’ll be waiting 16 years for another shot.
If you want the best view, step outside just after sundown on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury will be bright enough for the naked eye. Uranus and Neptune? You’ll need a telescope. Saturn will be low on the horizon, making it tricky to spot but not impossible.
Dr. Edward Bloomer from the Royal Observatory Greenwich calls this a “rare opportunity.” He’s not wrong. Planetary alignments like this don’t come around often, and the timing has to be just right. As the sun dips, Saturn and Mercury will vanish fast, giving you only a few minutes to catch them before they fade below the horizon.
This spectacle happens because all the planets orbit the Sun in roughly the same flat plane. Despite being light-years apart, they occasionally line up from Earth’s perspective, creating an illusion of cosmic organization. It’s a reminder that our solar system isn’t as chaotic as it seems—at least from a distance.
For the best shot at seeing them all, find a clear horizon and hope for cloud-free skies. Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest targets, with Mars showing off its signature reddish glow. Uranus can technically be seen with the naked eye, but unless you’ve got superhuman vision and perfect conditions, a telescope is your best bet.
This planetary parade won’t last long, so don’t waste time. Step outside, look up, and enjoy the show—before it disappears for nearly two decades.
Five Fast Facts
- Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system, with surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead.
- Jupiter’s Great Red Spot has been raging for at least 350 years—longer than the United States has existed.
- Uranus rotates sideways, making it the only planet that essentially rolls around the Sun.
- Neptune has the fastest winds in the solar system, with gusts reaching over 1,200 miles per hour.
- Mercury has no atmosphere to retain heat, meaning its surface can swing from -280°F at night to 800°F during the day.
