Planet Parade 2025: Lesser-known facts about this rare event

The Planet Parade of 2025 is a truly extraordinary celestial event that has stargazers excited. From January 21 to mid-February, six planets will align in the sky: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. This rare event offers a chance to witness something immensely spectacular, and here are some lesser-known facts about why this Planet Parade is such a big deal.
A rare extended event
Unlike most planetary alignments that last just a day or two, the 2025 Planet Parade spans over three weeks, from January 21 to mid-February. Although the alignment will reach its peak on January 29, you'll have plenty of chances to view the parade both before and after that date.

The new moon makes it special
What makes this event special is that it peaks on January 29, the same day as a new moon. With no moonlight to distract from the view, the skies will be darker, providing the perfect conditions for stargazing. This means you’ll get a clearer and more vibrant view of the aligned planets, making it an ideal time to enjoy the show.
Visible planets and what you need
While the 2025 Planet Parade involves six planets, not all of them are visible to the naked eye. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be seen without any equipment. However, Uranus and Neptune are much fainter and require a telescope or binoculars to spot. So, while you can enjoy most of the alignment without special tools, you’ll need some extra gear to see the outer planets.

The parade will be visible for weeks
This particular planetary alignment is more accessible than others due to its extended visibility. Unlike other alignments that are visible for just a day, the 2025 Planet Parade will be in view for nearly a month. The extended time frame allows for more chances to catch the event, even if weather or scheduling issues get in the way.
Mercury joins the parade in February
As if six planets weren’t impressive enough, Mercury will join the parade at the end of February! From February 28 to March 12, Mercury will be at its peak visibility, bringing the total number of planets in the parade to seven. This will make the celestial display even more complete and exciting.

Best time to watch
The best time to see the 2025 Planet Parade is about 45 to 90 minutes after sunset. This is when the brighter planets- - Venus and Jupiter- - will be the easiest to spot, followed by Mars and Saturn. For Uranus and Neptune, you’ll need a telescope to catch a glimpse. For the clearest view, try to find a spot far from city lights, like in a rural area or national park.
Overview of the six planets
The 2025 Planet Parade features six fascinating planets. Venus, known as the “Morning Star,” is the hottest planet, despite not being the closest to the Sun, and it has no moons. Mars, the “Red Planet,” stands out with its reddish appearance due to iron oxide dust and has two moons, Phobos and Deimos.
Jupiter, the largest planet, is home to the Great Red Spot storm and many moons, including Europa and Ganymede. Saturn, famous for its stunning rings, has the most moons in our solar system, with 146 known as of January 2025.

Uranus is the coldest planet, tilted at a unique angle, causing extreme seasons and having 28 moons. Finally, Neptune, the farthest planet from the Sun, has a striking blue color due to methane in its atmosphere and 14 moons, including Triton, which features active volcanoes.
Astrological significance

In astrology, planetary alignments are considered powerful moments for personal reflection and growth. Each planet represents different energies, such as love, abundance, focus, or action. Many people believe that the 2025 Planet Parade could be a great time to focus on personal alignment and transformation, using the energy of the planets to guide their intentions and actions.