Five Different Planets Will Align In The Massachusetts Night Sky During An Incredibly Rare Display

One of the most incredible things about the Bay State is the access to nature and the great outdoors. But, not all of that beauty is on the ground. Those who love the Massachusetts night sky will be thrilled to hear that another rare celestial event is set to take place above us. The alignment of five planets in one night over the course of just a few days will have nature lovers looking upwards. Here's what you need to know!

Star lovers will want to look up to the night sky starting March 25 through March 30, 2023, to see the alignment of Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, and Mars. While light years away from Earth, you'll be able to see these planets with your naked eye.

While this event is rare, it's not unheard of. The big difference this time around is that there are just a few days to catch it. The good news is that viewers won't need to wake up in the early hours of the morning. Most of this can be seen just after sunset.

A lineup of planets is known as a conjunction, but one of this magnitude with five planets only happens once every couple of decades.

So, how can you tell the planets from the stars? Well, the planets shine quite a bit brighter than the stars in the sky, so you should be able to spot them pretty easily.

The first planets in the procession are Jupiter and Mercury, both of which will be visible near the horizon. To see them, be sure to look low in the sky. Jupiter will be so low that after just a few days it will dip beneath the horizon completely. To make sure you can see it, try to check it out before the 28th. Both planets will be below the horizon in less than an hour, so be ready! If you miss them, don't worry. Venus is up next.

Venus and Uranus are best seen later in the night when there's less light in the sky. Similar to Jupiter and Mercury these will also dip below the horizon in just a few hours. You may need binoculars for Uranus so be sure to have some on-hand just in case.

Next is Mars which will be bright and a bit easier to spot. It should also be in the sky for longer than the first four planets. And, as an added bonus Saturn will be visible for some from March 27 and 28.

To ensure a good viewing opportunity try to find a place that's dark, without any light pollution. Anything away from cities and large towns should work. Also, be sure to find an unobstructed view of the western horizon which is where this will take place.

Will you set your eyes on the skies to see the five planets that will align over Massachusetts? If you have plans to check it out, let us know in the comments. We'd love to hear your plans and where you'll be setting up for the best view. Additionally, if you're looking for the best place to stargaze in the state at just about any time of year, head to the Cape Cod National Seashore.