Seven planets will align this week: here's how to watch the phenomenon that won't return until 2040

Seven planets ( Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury and Saturn ) are briefly visible in the night sky this week, a "planetary parade" that will not occur again until 2040.

Four of the planets (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Mars) will be visible to the naked eye. Saturn will be harder to see because it will be low on the horizon. A telescope will be needed to see the other two planets (Uranus and Neptune).

A good view of the horizon and a clear sky will offer the best chance of seeing them all. However, the window to see all seven planets will be very short.

Dr Edward Bloomer, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, told the BBC: "There's a unique opportunity to have seven planets in one convenient place for you to look for them."

As the Sun sets, Saturn and Mercury will also set, making them particularly difficult to see.

"There are really only a few minutes after sunset to see them before they disappear below the horizon. After that, Venus, Jupiter and Mars will still be clearly visible for much longer," Dr Bloomer added.

The planets in our solar system orbit the Sun in roughly the same plane as Earth. Because they orbit at different speeds and distances from the Sun, there are times when they appear to align from Earth's perspective, creating a visual spectacle , even though the planets remain separated by vast distances in space.

Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest to spot due to their brightness, while Mars will have a distinctive reddish hue.

"Uranus is technically visible to the naked eye, but you need perfect eyesight and ideal conditions," explains Dr Bloomer.

To improve your chances of seeing as many planets as possible, it is recommended to head to a location with a clear view of the horizon and minimal light pollution.