January’s Planetary Parade Offers Stunning Night Sky Views

Four bright planets and two dimmer ones are visible this month, with Venus and Saturn appearing in close conjunction this weekend.

Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars are visible to the naked eye this month, with Uranus and Neptune requiring telescopes or binoculars to spot.
Venus and Saturn will appear in conjunction this weekend, making them a highlight for stargazers looking west shortly after sunset.
The phenomenon, often referred to as a 'planetary parade,' is not a true alignment but rather a clustering of planets along the ecliptic plane.
A comet, C/2024 G3 (ATLAS), may also be visible near Venus and Saturn for a brief period after sunset, appearing like a bright star to the naked eye.
This celestial event is an opportunity for stargazers to enjoy the night sky while raising awareness about reducing light pollution.