Lately, we have seen a lot of things spotted in the night sky across much of the country,  people may be asking, what's going on?

🌍Planets You Will You See

🌎Best Times For Viewing

🌎What You Need For A Watch Party

Observing Rare Planetary Alignment January 18

Get ready Arkansas, because Americans nationwide are about to experience a celestial event you'll remember for a lifetime, from January 18 through February. A rare planetary alignment will be visible with the naked eye or a telescope. Many are calling it a planetary parade that's because six planets, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars are now visible however the best time for viewing will be this Saturday when the alignment will be at its peak.

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BBC's Sky at Night Magazine reports that Venus and Saturn will appear closer in the southwestern sky after sunset on January 18.

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On January 21, Jupiter and Venus will become even brighter in the evening sky because the moon will stay just below the horizon until after midnight allowing for better viewing with less lunar light.

Things Will Be Even More Radiant on January 21

February 1, will be another date to watch that's when Venus and the crescent moon can be seen in the southwest sky and will appear to be closer together after sunset.

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What You Need To Know For A Watch The Party

Star gazers grab your binoculars, telescope, or look up because this rare six planetary alignment can be seen between sunset and 9:30 PM through mid-February.  The best time for viewing is Saturday, January 18, while the planets will not be in a straight line they will appear from east to west across the sky. Some of the best places for viewing will be in open fields or hilltops away from trees and light pollution. The planets will be spread across the sky for most of 2025’s planet parades, meaning they will not be in a straight line, but appear from east to west.

The show doesn't end there, one more planet will join the party on February 28, and the planet Mercury will join the party allowing observers to witness seven planets aligned with one another.

Last year Americans were gearing up for a total solar eclipse in April and now we're kicking off 2025 with this rare event you do not want to miss.

LOOK: 31 breathtaking images from NASA's public library

In 2017, NASA opened the digital doors to its image and video library website, allowing the public to access more than 140,000 images, videos, and audio files. The collection provides unprecedented views of space. Stacker reviewed the collection to select 31 of the most breathtaking images, including the first from the James Webb Space Telescope. Keep reading to see these stunning images, curated with further information about the captured scenes.

Gallery Credit: Deborah Brosseau