How to see the rare and spectacular 'planet parade' from Australia

Australians can enjoy clear views of several major planets in the night sky as the celestial curtains open on a breathtaking "planet parade".

Until early next month, seven of our solar system's planets will be visible from earth as a spectacular planetary alignment decorates the sky.

Swinburne Space Technology and Industry Institute co-director Dr Rebecca Allen said four planets have been visible in Australia with the naked eye since January: Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn.

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"Several of the major planets will be visible at the same time in the night sky, sometimes close to each other ... and with a good telescope you could spot Neptune and Uranus," Dr Allen said.

It won't just be across the southern skies in Australia, either.

Those in most places around the world will be able to witness the six planet parade until early March.

"These happen yearly, but to have six or seven planets form an alignment is rarer,
Dr Allen told 9news.com.au.

"This has to do with the fact that the different distances of the planets mean they are all moving at vastly different speeds around the sun.

"This makes it a great opportunity to see them because they will be above the horizon at the same time.

"Normally, you might have to wait hours for one to rise while another may be setting."

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Unlike previous planetary alignments, this phenomenon have been stretched out across three months because the planets are sitting in advantageous positions in the sky.

"Summer is often a great time to view the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn because they are 'up' at ideal times and often at the same time. If you are lucky, then Mars may also be high in the sky," Dr Allen continued.

"This year, we are being treated to parade of planets that will be visible in the night sky at the same time across the summer months."

How can I see the planet parade?

Avoid city lights and head to a wide open area or a hill.

If the skies are clear, you may be able to see the planets without a telescope.

The planetary alignment will make its appearance just after sunset in the evening.

"Start from the west and try to find Venus and Saturn which will form a very bright pair," Dr Allen suggests.

"Jupiter will sit above Orion in the constellation Taurus while Mars will be further east in Gemini.

"Next month will then see Mercury join the parade, completing the summer march of planets."

There are several apps which can help stargazers identify planets in the sky, including StarWalk and Stellarium.

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How does a planet parade occur?

A planet parade, also known as a planetary alignment, happens when four or more planets appear to line up in the night sky.

NASA has referred to the phenomenon as a "parade of planets", however it doesn't actually mean the planets are in a perfect queue.

Planets can't ever fully line up but they can sit on the same side of the sun and look very close to queueing up.

"Astronomically, the planets are not getting (much) closer to each other, but they appear that way to us because their locations are projected onto our night sky," Dr Allen said.

"This path is called the ecliptic and forms the line we see the sun rise and set on. All planets follow this path too.

"While they orbit at different distances from the sun, they travel along relatively the same plane as earth."

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