Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune & Uranus visible from S'pore till Feb. 20

Look up to the skies tonight to see a breathtaking celestial phenomenon known as a "planet parade".

Six planets — Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — will be visible in the Singapore night sky until Feb. 20.

A "planet parade", though not a scientific term, refers to a phenomenon where four or five bright planets are simultaneously visible in the sky from Earth.

From Earth, the other planets will appear to form a line on what is known as the ecliptic — the plane on which the planets orbit around the Sun.

The next time such a "planet parade" will occur is late January 2036, when Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, Mars, Neptune, and Venus will be visible.

So long as night skies are clear, the current celestial event should be easily visible from anywhere in Singapore, according to the Science Centre Observatory.

While Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars can be seen with the naked eye, those keen to spot all six planets—including Neptune and Uranus—will require a telescope and a clear, dark sky.

According to Stargazing Singapore, Jupiter and Mars will be visible in the northeast, while Venus and Saturn will be in the west.

The Science Centre Observatory suggests observers visit open areas with unobstructed views for the best viewing experience.

This includes open public areas such as the Marina Barrage, East Coast Park, and the Southern Ridges.

Mars spotted on Jan. 16

Just a few days prior on Jan. 16, the planet Mars was spotted in the night skies of Singapore, appearing as a distinctive reddish speck.

The astronomical event — Mars in opposition — occurs when Earth passes directly between Mars and the Sun, which aligns the three celestial bodies in a straight line.

As Mars gets fully illuminated by the sun, it becomes easier to spot with the naked eye and telescopes even allow users to observe the planet in detail.

Top image via Canva and Stargazing Singapore/Facebook.