This Tuesday, January 21, at nightfall, remember to look up to the sky. The Côte d’Azur Observatory announces that during this week, from January 20 to 25, 2025, a rare astronomical phenomenon is visible above our heads: an alignment of six planets of the Solar System.
Also, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn will be visible from this Tuesday evening. What astronomers call a “planetary alignment” is the possibility of seeing several planets at the same time in the sky.
At what time?
The Observatory explains that they will be observable from sunset, around 6:30 p.m. local time (times are given for Nice, count 20 minutes later for Paris and 40 minutes later for Brest).
In detail, “the planets should appear in more than one half of the sky, in an arc that extends from northeast to west looking south (if you're in the northern hemisphere) or toward northern (if you are in the southern hemisphere)“, explain the specialists.
“Due to the rotation of the Earth on itself, the planets will then slowly pass towards the west where they will set; Venus and Saturn first, around 8:30 p.m.; and Mars bringing up the rear at the very end of the night” , they explain.
How to spot them?
The Observatory provides some tips for observing them. First of all, a planet, unlike stars, does not twinkle. Jupiter and Venus can be identified thanks to their brilliance, Mars is “orange”. Jupiter will be between the constellation Orion and the Pleiades.
-To observe them in good conditions, you will need get away from city lightsuse red lights to avoid being dazzled for example. If you plan to gain height in the mountains far from any light pollution, remember to cover up and take hot drinks. Don't forget your pair of binoculars or your star chart.
The Observatory also indicates that a dark sky reserve is installed on the Côte d'Azur. This is the “Alpes Azur Mercantour” territory. “You will have a good sky there”indicate the astronomers.
And if the weather is not good this time or if you miss it, know that the next alignment of planets will take place on February 28 with the added bonus of a small appearance from Mercury.
What precautions to take
Note, however, that if the phenomenon is exceptional, it is also a moment of work for Riviera astronomers.
Also, the Observatory asks curious people not to go to the Mont-Gros or Plateau de Calern sites so as not to disturb the work of astronomers.
