Planetary parade could be visible Tuesday night

Stars shine at dusk in this undated stock photo. (Martin Mariani/Pexels.com)

Anyone looking up to the skies Tuesday night may see a spectacular planetary sight.

Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn will appear to be in a straight line in what is known as a ‘planetary parade.’

“We do see planetary alignments like this most years, but this one is unique because it’s happening at night when we’ll actually be able to see it, and early in the evening,” Orbax, a physicist and science communicator at the University of Guelph, said via a news release.

Orbax said the celestial synchronization should be visible about one hour after sunset.

“Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn will all be visible to the unaided eye,” Orbax said. “Anyone with high-powered binoculars or a telescope might be able to see Uranus or Neptune.”

Environment Canada is calling for partly cloudy skies on Tuesday night. Typical stargazing guidance encourages people to head out of the city and find a dark stretch of sky away from streetlights and other light pollution to get the best view.

Anyone who misses the spectacle tonight will have a few more days to catch it.

Mercury is also expected to fall in line and join the planetary party in February.