Planetary alignment
A planetary alignment is an astronomical event in which three or more planets align in a straight line in their respective orbits from Earth’s perspective.
The planets orbit the sun at different speeds in their respective orbits, so it is possible for them to line up on the same side of Earth when a planetary alignment occurs.
What will you see in the sky during a planetary alignment?
The planets always appear along a line in the sky. But remember, this is not a planetary alignment.
A planetary alignment is a rare event when three or more planets appear together within a few degrees of each other in the sky.
The planets orbit the sun in approximately the same plane. So they follow a similar path across our sky. When the planets line up on the same side of Earth in their respective orbits, you can’t perceive their distance in the sky. As a result, you see them together in the sky.
If the alignment is perfect, the planets overlap each other in the sky, appearing as a single point of light to the naked eye.
Please note, a planetary conjunction, where only two planets appear close together in the sky, is also a planetary alignment. In our dedicated article, you will find details about the upcoming planetary conjunctions.
Alignment of Neptune, Saturn, and Venus on the evening of January 25

Neptune, Saturn, and Venus will appear within 10 degrees of each other in our sky on the evening of January 25, 2025, creating a planetary alignment.
If you could look down at our solar system from above on January 25, 2025, you would see that Neptune, Saturn, and Venus are roughly aligned in a straight line in their respective orbits from Earth’s perspective.
Neptune, Saturn, and Venus will set together around 4 hours after sunset on the evening of January 25, 2025. Look for them near the southwestern horizon around an hour after sunset.
Venus will shine with a magnitude of -4.4 and will be located in the zodiac constellation Pisces on the evening of January 25, 2025. It will be the brightest star-like object visible to the naked eye.
Saturn will shine with a magnitude of +1.1 and will be located in the zodiac constellation Aquarius on the evening of January 25, 2025. It will be visible around 5 degrees below Venus. It will appear much fainter than Venus.
Neptune will shine with a magnitude of +7.9 and will be located in the zodiac constellation Pisces on the evening of January 25, 2025. It will be visible around 5 degrees upper left of Venus. You need a telescope or high-powered binoculars to see Neptune.
Note: Neptune, Saturn, and Venus will appear within 10 degrees of each other in our sky for a few days in late January. So the planetary alignment of Neptune, Saturn, and Venus will be visible not only on January 25, but also before and after this date.
Alignment of Neptune, Saturn, and Mercury on the evening of February 27

Neptune, Saturn, and Mercury will appear within 8 degrees of each other in our sky on the evening of February 27, 2025, creating a planetary alignment.
If you could look down at our solar system from above on February 27, 2025, you would see that Neptune, Saturn, and Mercury are roughly aligned in a straight line in their respective orbits from Earth’s perspective.
Neptune, Saturn, and Mercury will set together around an hour after sunset on the evening of February 27, 2025. Look for them near the western horizon around 40 minutes after sunset.
Mercury will shine with a magnitude of -1.0 and will be located in the zodiac constellation Pisces on the evening of February 27, 2025. It will be easily visible with the naked eye if you have a clear view of the horizon.
Saturn will shine with a magnitude of +1.2 and will be located in the zodiac constellation Aquarius on the evening of February 27, 2025. It will be visible around 4 degrees below Mercury. It will appear much fainter and closer to the horizon than Mercury. It will be hard to spot with the naked eye, but a pair of binoculars might help you.
Neptune will shine with a magnitude of +8.0 and will be located in the zodiac constellation Pisces on the evening of February 27, 2025. It will be visible around 4 degrees upper left of Mercury. You need a telescope or high-powered binoculars to see Neptune.
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