A rare astronomical event, known as the "parade of planets," has captivated skywatchers as all seven planets in our solar system align in a near-straight line along the horizon. This celestial phenomenon, which began delivering special views in late January, will reach its peak from late February through early March. During this period, Venus, the brightest planet in the night sky, will be prominently visible alongside the moon.
The alignment, best observed from the Northern Hemisphere during spring, occurs primarily on either side of a new moon. Under favorable conditions, five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—will be visible to the naked eye over the coming weeks. However, Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope for viewing due to their distance and faintness.
French astrophotographer Gwenaël Blanck captured a breathtaking image of this planetary parade on February 1 at around 8:00 p.m. local time from the banks of the Seine River. The photograph features a bright crescent moon and Venus nearly aligned with a beam of blue light emanating from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Blanck, a noted space photographer who has received accolades such as the "best space submission" at the 2024 Aerospace Media Awards, remarked on the uniqueness of the event.
"This is one of the rare celestial events that make people look up even under light-polluted skies," – Gwenaël Blanck
Blanck's stunning shot showcases a phenomenon known as Earthshine, where the dark portions of the moon's Earth-facing side are illuminated by light reflecting off our planet. The spectacle drew the attention of many bystanders.
"A lot of tourists and passers-by were admiring the scene while I was shooting." – Gwenaël Blanck
Despite light pollution challenges, Blanck noted that while the Moon and Venus were easily visible, spotting Saturn proved more difficult.
"The Moon (with a beautiful Earthshine) and Venus could not be missed, but Saturn was way more difficult to see, especially in the light pollution," – Gwenaël Blanck
The next opportunity to witness a similar planetary alignment will not occur until October 2028. Until then, this rare parade of planets offers a unique opportunity for both amateur and professional astronomers to gaze upon a wonder of our solar system.
