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| Seven planets align in UK skies this week for last time until 2040 | Seven planets align in UK skies this week for last time until 2040 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Dr Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society gives Science Correspondent Pallab Ghosh tips on how to spot them | Dr Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society gives Science Correspondent Pallab Ghosh tips on how to spot them |
| Skywatchers are in for a treat this week as seven planets - Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn will all be briefly visible in the evening sky. | Skywatchers are in for a treat this week as seven planets - Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn will all be briefly visible in the evening sky. |
| This phenomenon, known as a 'planetary parade' is a rare sight, and it will be the last time seven planets can be seen simultaneously so well until 2040. | |
| The best chance to see as many planets as possible will be just after sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. | The best chance to see as many planets as possible will be just after sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. |
| Four of the planets - Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars - will be visible to the naked eye. Saturn will be harder to see because it will be low in the horizon. You will need a telescope to spot the other two planets - Uranus and Neptune. | Four of the planets - Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars - will be visible to the naked eye. Saturn will be harder to see because it will be low in the horizon. You will need a telescope to spot the other two planets - Uranus and Neptune. |
| How an artist imagines the planets in our solar system lined up in a row - of course it isn't quite that straightforward | How an artist imagines the planets in our solar system lined up in a row - of course it isn't quite that straightforward |
| A good view of the horizon and clear skies will offer the best chance of spotting them all. However, the window to see all seven planets will be very brief. | A good view of the horizon and clear skies will offer the best chance of spotting them all. However, the window to see all seven planets will be very brief. |
| Dr Edward Bloomer, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich said: "There's a rare opportunity to have seven planets in essentially a convenient place for you to look for them." | Dr Edward Bloomer, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich said: "There's a rare opportunity to have seven planets in essentially a convenient place for you to look for them." |
| As the sun sets, Saturn and Mercury will also be setting, making them particularly difficult to see. | As the sun sets, Saturn and Mercury will also be setting, making them particularly difficult to see. |
| "You really only have a few minutes after sunset to catch them before they drop below the horizon. After that, you'll still be able to see Venus, Jupiter, and Mars clearly for a much longer time," Dr Bloomer added. | "You really only have a few minutes after sunset to catch them before they drop below the horizon. After that, you'll still be able to see Venus, Jupiter, and Mars clearly for a much longer time," Dr Bloomer added. |
| The planets in our solar system orbit the Sun within roughly the same flat plane as the Earth. | The planets in our solar system orbit the Sun within roughly the same flat plane as the Earth. |
| As they orbit at different speeds and distances from the Sun, there are moments when they appear to line up from Earth's perspective creating a spectacular visual display, although the planets remain separated by vast distances in space. | As they orbit at different speeds and distances from the Sun, there are moments when they appear to line up from Earth's perspective creating a spectacular visual display, although the planets remain separated by vast distances in space. |
| Send us your pictures of the planetary parade. | Send us your pictures of the planetary parade. |
| We've had stunning views of the planets already this year, like this one in January, but this week offers the best chance of seeing them all | We've had stunning views of the planets already this year, like this one in January, but this week offers the best chance of seeing them all |
| Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest to spot due to their brightness, while Mars will have a distinct reddish hue. | Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest to spot due to their brightness, while Mars will have a distinct reddish hue. |
| "Uranus is technically visible with the naked eye, but you'd need perfect eyesight and ideal conditions," Dr Bloomer explains. | "Uranus is technically visible with the naked eye, but you'd need perfect eyesight and ideal conditions," Dr Bloomer explains. |
| To improve your chances of seeing as many planets as possible, Dr Bloomer advises heading to a location with a clear view of the horizon and minimal light pollution. | To improve your chances of seeing as many planets as possible, Dr Bloomer advises heading to a location with a clear view of the horizon and minimal light pollution. |
| "If you just pop out of your kitchen into your back garden, you will take time to adjust to the light levels. Give it a bit of time - your eyes take about half an hour to fully adjust," said Dr Bloomer. | "If you just pop out of your kitchen into your back garden, you will take time to adjust to the light levels. Give it a bit of time - your eyes take about half an hour to fully adjust," said Dr Bloomer. |
| "Avoid looking at your phone, get comfortable, and ensure you have an unobstructed view of the horizon." | "Avoid looking at your phone, get comfortable, and ensure you have an unobstructed view of the horizon." |
| While this is an exciting opportunity, Dr Bloomer encourages people to make a habit of gazing at the night sky. | While this is an exciting opportunity, Dr Bloomer encourages people to make a habit of gazing at the night sky. |
| "See how things change," he said, adding that observing the heavens is "a chance to witness the ongoing mechanics of the solar system at work." | "See how things change," he said, adding that observing the heavens is "a chance to witness the ongoing mechanics of the solar system at work." |
| Will the skies be clear enough to see them? | Will the skies be clear enough to see them? |
| Whilst the weather is still rather unsettled currently, clearer and calmer conditions are expected to develop later in the week. | Whilst the weather is still rather unsettled currently, clearer and calmer conditions are expected to develop later in the week. |
| Tuesday evening will start with clear spells, but cloud and rain will move in from the west later. | Tuesday evening will start with clear spells, but cloud and rain will move in from the west later. |
| On Wednesday night, skies will be generally cloudier with showery rain at times. | On Wednesday night, skies will be generally cloudier with showery rain at times. |
| By Thursday, expect a drier, clearer view of the night sky. Earlier in the evening is best, as mist and fog patches may develop further into the night. | By Thursday, expect a drier, clearer view of the night sky. Earlier in the evening is best, as mist and fog patches may develop further into the night. |
| For Friday – the peak of the planetary parade - high pressure is expected to dominate, keeping dry conditions for most with clear spells. Soon after sunset is most favoured as mist and fog patches may develop later. | For Friday – the peak of the planetary parade - high pressure is expected to dominate, keeping dry conditions for most with clear spells. Soon after sunset is most favoured as mist and fog patches may develop later. |
| Additional reporting by Sarah Keith Lucas of BBC Weather | Additional reporting by Sarah Keith Lucas of BBC Weather |