A rare celestial alignment will light up the January skies, offering a stunning display for astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike.
Throughout the month of January, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will form a striking lineup in the twilight sky.
This will be accompanied by bright stars Altair and Fomalhaut.
The event is visible across the southern hemisphere and promises to be one of the most captivating astronomical highlights of the year.
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn aligning
The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) advises skywatchers to look west shortly after sunset for the best view.
A clear horizon and minimal light pollution are ideal, but telescopes won’t be necessary as the planets are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
Venus, the ‘Evening Star’, will dominate the scene, shining brilliantly just above the horizon.
Saturn will sit slightly higher in the sky, with Jupiter and Mars further along the lineup.
Dispelling the myths
Despite claims circulating on social media about seven planets aligning on 25 January 2025, Earthsky.org has debunked this as misinformation.
Earthsky explains the planets won’t be lined up behind each other. This is technically possible, but it happens once every 396 billion years.
The video emphasises that only four planets will be visible during the alignment, making this display special without the exaggerated claims.
South Africa’s clear southern skies provide a perfect vantage point for observing this celestial event. The SAAO encourages South Africans to take advantage of this rare opportunity.
For beginners, the SAAO recommends using stargazing apps or printed star maps to help identify the planets and stars.
More January sky highlights
This planetary alignment follows the Quadrantid meteor shower earlier in the month, which peaked around January 4. Known for its bright meteors, the Quadrantids dazzled observers despite competing with a partially illuminated moon.
The planetary lineup, which will last approximately 30 minutes after sunset each evening, offers a perfect chance to pause, look up, and marvel at the wonders of the universe.
So grab a chair, head to a dark spot, and don’t miss this chance to witness one of January’s most spectacular shows in the sky.
