A spectacular astronomical event is set to grace Irish skies from tonight, with four planets becoming visible to the naked eye in a rare alignment that will last until February 27.

Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be visible stretching across the southern sky from west to east, according to Blackrock Castle Observatory’s resident astronomer Danielle Wilcox. The phenomenon occurs when the planets’ varying orbital speeds bring them to the same side of Earth simultaneously.
“You won’t need to have a fancy telescope to get out and see them,” Wilcox explains, recommending optimal viewing times between 5:30 PM and 7 PM. Venus will serve as the easiest reference point, appearing as the brightest object in the sky after the moon and sun.
For those keen to spot all four planets, Wilcox provides a simple viewing guide:
- Look west towards the sunset
- Find Venus (brightest point)
- Locate Saturn appearing as a small star below Venus
- Spot Jupiter, appearing notably bright and larger
- Look for Mars, distinctive with its rusty, orange-brownish red color
Neptune and Uranus will also be present but will require telescopes for viewing. Wilcox offers a helpful tip for distinguishing planets from stars: unlike twinkling stars, planets emit a steady, constant light.
According to The Irish Examiner, the rare planetary lineup will remain visible to Irish viewers throughout the month, offering multiple opportunities to witness this uncommon celestial display.