Publish: 13:40, 22 Jan, 2025

Truth behind the 'once in 396 billion years' planetary alignment hype

Online Desk
Truth behind the 'once in 396 billion years' planetary alignment hype
Photo - Collected

Have you seen the "once in 396 billion years" planetary alignment trending on social media for January 25? Don’t believe the hype. Here’s the real story—and why you don’t need to wait for something extraordinary.

Four planets are visible to the naked eye this month, and next month, for a brief time, five will be visible. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary, nor is it a rare alignment, despite what the online rumors suggest.

However, it’s still a stunning sight. So, is it one of the best stargazing events of 2025? Here's the truth about the so-called "planet parade" and the best times to catch it this month and in February.

What is a ‘Planet Parade?’

It’s a common term used by amateurs for when there are more than a couple of planets in the night sky. Unfortunately, articles that promote them often justify them by advertising views of planets like Uranus and Neptune, which are too small to be seen with the naked eye. So why is the term “planet parade” being used in 2025? It’s mainly because Jupiter remains bright while Venus and Mars are coming to their brightest in the post-sunset sky for a couple of years. With Saturn still hanging around and Mercury making an occasional appearance, four or five planets can be seen with the naked eye.

Why is it not an ‘Alignment’

Planets are always aligned with each other. The solar system is not a mess of planets racing all over it as they orbit the sun. The solar system is like an omelet. The planets orbit in near circles around it, each one slightly farther out, so it takes longer to orbit. This is the plane of the solar system. Consequently, you can see all planets in the solar system in a line in the night sky. It's easy to find because it's also the sun's path through the daytime sky. It's called the ecliptic, primarily because it's roughly where the moon also orbits, occasionally crossing it to occasionally eclipse the sun.

How many planets are visible in the night sky depends on where they are in their journeys around the sun, specifically where Earth is in its journey. Some will appear close to the sun—so be “up” all day long but lost in its glare. This is typically true with Venus and Mercury, the two inner planets. Others will be far from the sun, so visible at night from Earth.

Why it’s not a ‘once in 396 billion years’ event

The universe has existed for 13.7 billion years, so it’s not like you missed anything — or ever will. The “once in 396 billion years” claim comes from a complete misunderstanding of a a theoretical point made by Jean Meeus in his 1997 book, Mathematical Astronomy Morsels. According to Sky & Telescope, in attempting to answer whether all eight planets could be visible in Earth’s sky, he came up with the 396 billion years figure but, crucially, he referred to the planets being within 1.8 degrees of each other. This month’s “planet parade” sees many of the planets in the sky, biut they’re not close to each other — and certainly not within 1.8 degrees!

‘Planet Parades’ In January and March

In January, six planets—Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Uranus (not visible), and Neptune (not visible)—are gracing the night sky. Look west shortly after sunset to spot Venus and Saturn, while Jupiter and Mars can be found in the east. A great evening for planet-spotting is at the end of January, when the moon reaches its Last Quarter phase and rises around midnight.

By early March, Mercury joins the planetary lineup, visible briefly in the first week of the month. On March. 8, look west right after sunset to catch Mercury between Saturn and Venus before it quickly sinks below the horizon, accompanied by a crescent moon.

Source: Forbes.com

Bd-pratidin English/ Afia

More News
China to use AI in elder care as population ages: official
China to use AI in elder care as population ages: official
Trump vows support for crypto industry
Trump vows support for crypto industry
Artificial blood: Scientists progress in solving global shortages
Artificial blood: Scientists progress in solving global shortages
Bangladeshi firms join hands with US telecom giant Starlink
Bangladeshi firms join hands with US telecom giant Starlink
Study links brain activity at death to soul departing the body
Study links brain activity at death to soul departing the body
Microsoft developing AI reasoning models to rival OpenAI
Microsoft developing AI reasoning models to rival OpenAI
Musk claims Starlink’s South Africa ban linked to race, authority denies allegations
Musk claims Starlink’s South Africa ban linked to race, authority denies allegations
NASA receives data before Intuitive Machines ends lunar mission
NASA receives data before Intuitive Machines ends lunar mission
Albania bans TikTok for a year amid concerns over violence among children
Albania bans TikTok for a year amid concerns over violence among children
European rocket successfully completes 1st commercial launch
European rocket successfully completes 1st commercial launch
SpaceX's Starship explodes again in space
SpaceX's Starship explodes again in space
Google introduces AI-exclusive version of its search engine
Google introduces AI-exclusive version of its search engine
Latest News
India clinch Champions Trophy title
India clinch Champions Trophy title
6 hours ago | Sports
Syria president calls for unity after reports of mass killings
Syria president calls for unity after reports of mass killings
6 hours ago | International
US envoy says Gaza hostage deal possible 'within weeks'
US envoy says Gaza hostage deal possible 'within weeks'
7 hours ago | International
US Secret Service shoots armed man outside White House
US Secret Service shoots armed man outside White House
7 hours ago | International
Activists vandalize Trump golf resort over comments on Gaza
Activists vandalize Trump golf resort over comments on Gaza
7 hours ago | International
‘Govt adopts zero tolerance policy against anarchies’
‘Govt adopts zero tolerance policy against anarchies’
7 hours ago | National
‘Will make such policy that no one can shut down internet’
‘Will make such policy that no one can shut down internet’
7 hours ago | National
Thousands of Nepalese want monarchy back!
Thousands of Nepalese want monarchy back!
8 hours ago | International
Zero tolerance for rape: Home Adviser
Zero tolerance for rape: Home Adviser
8 hours ago | National
OIC restores Syrian membership
OIC restores Syrian membership
8 hours ago | International
BNP announces new date for Iftar Mahfil with political parties
BNP announces new date for Iftar Mahfil with political parties
9 hours ago | National
Court orders freezing ex-minister Saifuzzaman’s assets
Court orders freezing ex-minister Saifuzzaman’s assets
9 hours ago | National
Hezbollah rejects claims of involvement in deadly Syria clashes
Hezbollah rejects claims of involvement in deadly Syria clashes
9 hours ago | International
Travel ban imposed on ex-DAG Rupa
Travel ban imposed on ex-DAG Rupa
9 hours ago | National
EC to issue notification on new parties’ registration Monday
EC to issue notification on new parties’ registration Monday
9 hours ago | National
Aamir Khan reflects on rejecting iconic roles played by SRK, Salman
Aamir Khan reflects on rejecting iconic roles played by SRK, Salman
9 hours ago | Entertainment
Foreign adviser meets his Pakistani counterpart in Jeddha
Foreign adviser meets his Pakistani counterpart in Jeddha
10 hours ago | National
Eid advance train ticket sales to begin on March 14
Eid advance train ticket sales to begin on March 14
11 hours ago | National
'Over extraction of groundwater poses environmental risk'
'Over extraction of groundwater poses environmental risk'
11 hours ago | National
Govt to launch hotline to combat sexual harassment
Govt to launch hotline to combat sexual harassment
11 hours ago | National
Syrian security forces accused of killing hundreds of civilians
Syrian security forces accused of killing hundreds of civilians
11 hours ago | International
NBR launches customs risk management to address money laundering
NBR launches customs risk management to address money laundering
11 hours ago | Business
Yo Yo Honey Singh returns: From stardom to struggle and back again
Yo Yo Honey Singh returns: From stardom to struggle and back again
11 hours ago | Entertainment
Two ex-Police officials to be interrogated in safe home
Two ex-Police officials to be interrogated in safe home
12 hours ago | National
Trump administration ends Iraq's waiver to buy Iranian electricity
Trump administration ends Iraq's waiver to buy Iranian electricity
12 hours ago | International
Govt employees to receive salary before month ends on the occasion of Eid
Govt employees to receive salary before month ends on the occasion of Eid
12 hours ago | National
‘Rape probes to be completed in 15 days, trial in 90 days’
‘Rape probes to be completed in 15 days, trial in 90 days’
12 hours ago | National
‘Only an elected government can drive real economic growth’
‘Only an elected government can drive real economic growth’
12 hours ago | National
Met office forecasts mainly dry weather over country
Met office forecasts mainly dry weather over country
12 hours ago | National
China rolls over $2bn loan to Pakistan amid financial challenges
China rolls over $2bn loan to Pakistan amid financial challenges
13 hours ago | International
Most Read
CA orders rapid digitization of four ministries, agencies
CA orders rapid digitization of four ministries, agencies
20 hours ago | National
Workers of closed factories struggling to survive
Workers of closed factories struggling to survive
18 hours ago | Business
Bangladeshi firms join hands with US telecom giant Starlink
Bangladeshi firms join hands with US telecom giant Starlink
21 hours ago | Tech
Salman Khan’s blockbuster secures 80% of its budget before its release
Salman Khan’s blockbuster secures 80% of its budget before its release
20 hours ago | Entertainment
Jovan leads in Eid special 'Bantir Biye': A romantic rollercoaster
Jovan leads in Eid special 'Bantir Biye': A romantic rollercoaster
16 hours ago | Entertainment
HC orders completion of Magura child rape trial within six months
HC orders completion of Magura child rape trial within six months
14 hours ago | National
BCB increases match fees, prioritizes Test cricket
BCB increases match fees, prioritizes Test cricket
19 hours ago | Sports
Take control of your life by setting powerful discipline goals
Take control of your life by setting powerful discipline goals
13 hours ago | Lifestyle
Cyclone, Kalboishakhi, and heatwaves expected from March to May
Cyclone, Kalboishakhi, and heatwaves expected from March to May
14 hours ago | National
Artificial blood: Scientists progress in solving global shortages
Artificial blood: Scientists progress in solving global shortages
18 hours ago | Tech
Mob justice is undermining the entire success of the revolution
Mob justice is undermining the entire success of the revolution
17 hours ago | Special
How to detect Fatty liver disease without symptoms
How to detect Fatty liver disease without symptoms
14 hours ago | Lifestyle
JCD to form human chains nationwide on Monday
JCD to form human chains nationwide on Monday
16 hours ago | National
Ways to reverse fatty liver
Ways to reverse fatty liver
14 hours ago | Lifestyle
Dhaka remains in top 10 for worst air quality
Dhaka remains in top 10 for worst air quality
19 hours ago | City
Women’s presence in judiciary soars
Women’s presence in judiciary soars
20 hours ago | National
HC orders to remove online images of Magura’s raped child
HC orders to remove online images of Magura’s raped child
16 hours ago | National
More than two million people in Gaza have no food
More than two million people in Gaza have no food
18 hours ago | International
Bangladesh ranks first in Asia for child marriages
Bangladesh ranks first in Asia for child marriages
14 hours ago | National
Bangladesh, Kuwait commit to boost trade, energy and investment ties
Bangladesh, Kuwait commit to boost trade, energy and investment ties
14 hours ago | National
Stock market in new crisis
Stock market in new crisis
18 hours ago | Special
Man arrested after scaling Big Ben, shouting 'Free Palestine'
Man arrested after scaling Big Ben, shouting 'Free Palestine'
16 hours ago | International
EC to distribute smart cards from April 12
EC to distribute smart cards from April 12
15 hours ago | National
North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine for the first time
North Korea unveils nuclear-powered submarine for the first time
17 hours ago | International
‘Rape probes to be completed in 15 days, trial in 90 days’
‘Rape probes to be completed in 15 days, trial in 90 days’
12 hours ago | National
‘Only an elected government can drive real economic growth’
‘Only an elected government can drive real economic growth’
12 hours ago | National
US pushing to soften anti-Russian language in G7 statement – Bloomberg
US pushing to soften anti-Russian language in G7 statement – Bloomberg
20 hours ago | International
Trump administration ends Iraq's waiver to buy Iranian electricity
Trump administration ends Iraq's waiver to buy Iranian electricity
12 hours ago | International
NBR launches customs risk management to address money laundering
NBR launches customs risk management to address money laundering
11 hours ago | Business
Govt to launch hotline to combat sexual harassment
Govt to launch hotline to combat sexual harassment
11 hours ago | National