Look up and Observe the Parade of Planets in Michigan – Here’s What You Need to Know

Get ready to see six - or possibly even seven - planets in a dazzling planet parade, visible this month just after sunset in Michigan.

Beginning in mid January, all these planets (with the exception of Mercury) and planet Earth will be on the same side of the sun. (Mercury will not be visible because it's on the opposite side of the sun.)

What is a Planet Parade?

A planet parade is when several of our solar system's planets are visible in the night sky at the same time.

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Partial planet parades aren't terribly rare, as a number of planets typically line up at some point each, causing them to temporarily be visible from planet Earth. But a complete planetary parade featuring seven planets is considerably more rare, occurring most recently in 2022. 

January 2025 Planet Parade in Michigan

In Michigan, we should be able to observe a Planet Parade featuring six planets, including Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus.

Peak viewing here in the Mitten State is likely to be January 21, 2025, although the 'Parade' may be visible as soon as January 17 and as late as early February.

How to See the Parade of Planets

• Your best bet is to go to an open area or a hill away from city lights.
• The best viewing time is just after sunset and before 9:00 PM.
• Use a stargazing app (like Star Walk) to help you locate planets.
• You'll need a telescope in order to see Uranus and Neptune.

Take a look at the video below for an in-depth explanation.