A rare astronomical event will occur on Saturday as Venus and Saturn come into apparent conjunction at sunset. Over the last couple of weeks, the two planets have inched closer to each other, coming within just a couple of finger widths’ distance apart in the sky. However, they will become the closest to each other on January 17 and 18, said NASA.
These events are sometimes called “alignments” of the planets, and while it’s true that they will appear mostly a line across the sky, this is what planets always do normally. The line that they form is called the ecliptic and it represents the plane of the solar system in which the planets orbit around the Sun.
What’s less common is seeing four or five bright planets align at once, which does not happen every year. NASA refers to the event as the “planet parade.”
Alignment to begin on Thursday evening
In the first couple of hours after dark this month, you will find Venus and Saturn in the southwest, Jupiter overhead and Mars in the east. Uranus and Neptune will also appear, but a telescope is needed to see them.
Issa Al-Ghafili, head of the Noor Astronomy Association, explained that a conjunction occurs when celestial bodies appear close to one another in the sky as seen from Earth, despite being separated by vast distances in space. According to Al-Ghafili, the two planets will begin their apparent approach on Thursday evening, culminating in a peak conjunction on Saturday.
The event will be visible on the western horizon immediately after sunset and will last for approximately three hours, offering a spectacular sight for stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts.
Venus reached its brightest for the year just after the full Moon on January 13, stated NASA. Second in brightness was Jupiter in the eastern sky. With a telescope, you should be able to see Jupiter’s four bright moons, Ganymede, Callisto, Europa and Io. Jupiter was at its closest and brightest in early December.
Third in brightness will be Mars low in the east-northeastern sky. Fourth in brightness will be Saturn, appearing near Venus in the southwestern sky. With a telescope, you should be able to see Saturn’s bright moon, Titan, and maybe its rings. However, the rings are appearing very thin and will be more visible from Earth in March 2025. We will not get the classic view of Saturn showing off its rings until 2026.
Saturn was at the closest and brightest in early September 2024 and will appear its closest to Venus on the evening of January 18. Fifth in brightness will be Uranus which will be bright enough to see without a telescope if you are in a very dark location.
Where to watch Venus and Saturn in Saudi Arabia
You can watch Venus and Saturn aligning anywhere in Saudi Arabia. However, for the best views, it is best to choose a very dark location with the least amount of light pollution. Some of these places include:
AlUla
AlUla is a remarkable location for stargazing. The absence of urban light pollution allows for crystal-clear night sky views, where you can watch the stars and planets, making it one of the top locations to watch Venus and Saturn align.
AlUla also offers astronomy tours, workshops and events. These programs allow you to deepen your understanding of the night sky while immersing yourself in the rich history and culture of the region.
Wadi Rum
Located in the southern part of Saudi Arabia, Wadi Rum is a desert landscape perfect for stargazing. The stars appear brighter and more vivid at the location, making it an ideal destination for astronomy enthusiasts looking to watch Venus and Saturn align.
The Empty Quarter
The Empty Quarter, also known as Rub’ al Khali, is the largest sand desert in the world, covering a significant portion of southern Saudi Arabia. The location’s isolation provides a perfect opportunity to witness the two planets converge.
Places to watch the alignment in the UAE
Here are the best spots to watch the rare astronomical event in the UAE:
Al Sadeem Observatory Abu Dhabi
Al Sadeem Observatory Abu Dhabi offers guided tours and night sky observation through traditional and smart telescopes. Events are usually on during key dates on the space calendar and you can book a spot online.
Jebel Hafit Desert Park
Jebel Hafit is Abu Dhabi’s tallest peak, making it the perfect location to watch astronomical events in the UAE. The park offers guests three camping experiences: basic camping for which you need to bring your own equipment, fully serviced camping, including breakfast, in a camp showcasing Bedouin tents, and furnished five-star bubble glamping tents complete with air-conditioning. This makes it one of the best ways to enjoy a weekend away that starts with Venus and Saturn aligning.
Al Qudra
One of the best stargazing locations in the UAE is Al Qudra. One perk is that it is easily reachable from Dubai. Due to its proximity to the city, light pollution may impact the clarity of the sky. Make sure to take binoculars or a small telescope for the best views.
Read: 16 major lunar events to watch for in 2025
January astronomical event
January was packed with astronomical events. Some of the most notable sightings include:
Quadrantid meteor shower peaks
This is a moderate shower that occurred on January 3, delivering 20 to 30 meteors per hour under clear, dark skies at its peak. No interference from the Moon made this year’s peak a notable experience for meteor watching.
Moon occults Mars
For skywatchers in the continental U.S. and Eastern Canada, the Moon appeared to pass in front of Mars on January 13.
Venus and Saturn conjunction
Over a couple of weeks, the two planets come within just a couple of finger widths’ distance apart in the sky, coming the closest on January 17-18.
Four planets visible
In the first couple of hours after dark this month, you’ll find Venus and Saturn in the southwest, Jupiter high overhead, and Mars in the east. Uranus and Neptune are there too, but a telescope is needed to see them. For the whole month,Mars will also remain directly opposite the Sun from Earth and shine brightly all night.
On January 20 at 11:53 p.m. EST, the Moon will be at apogee, reaching its farthest from the Earth for this orbit. On January 21, the bright star Spica will appear near the fading gibbous Moon.
On Wednesday, January 22 in the morning, it will be the last morning Mercury will appear above the horizon 30 minutes before sunrise. In addition, Venus will be at its highest above the west-southwestern horizon on January 27.
