Rare Six-Planet Parade Lights Up Weekend Night Sky

This weekend brings a rare celestial show: a six-planet parade across the night sky, with Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Neptune and Uranus lining up in a gentle arc.

Observers in Sparta, North Carolina, and skies worldwide can glimpse the lineup as the planets ride the evening ecliptic, visible to the naked eye in dark enough skies.

Look after sunset for the best views, as the alignment stretches over several hours and the planets drift slowly along their orbits.

To spot them, choose a dark spot away from city lights, give your eyes 15-20 minutes to adapt, and be ready for quick glances as the lineup shifts.

While Jupiter and Saturn shine brightly, Neptune and Uranus will be fainter; binoculars can help, but even without equipment many skywatchers will enjoy a rare sense of scale as six worlds glow in a single view.

Such a parade is uncommon because it requires multiple planets to align along the same broad slice of the sky, a reminder of the order hidden above our heads.

For specifics on timing in your area, check local astronomy apps or planetariums, but clear, dark skies this weekend could deliver a memorable, family-friendly sight.

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