2025 is off to a strong start for astronomy enthusiasts. Six planets in the solar system are about to put on a show in the sky that we won't see each other again before 2040. And the best part is, you don't need to be an expert or have very expensive equipment to enjoy it: with your iPhone and a few basic accessories, you can capture this historic moment.
The show of the year is in heaven (and lasts over a month)
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be the stars of this celestial parade which starts January 21. But don't worry, it's not like an eclipse that if you blink you'll miss it. The exhibition runs until the end of February, giving you plenty of opportunities to view and photograph it.
As if that weren't enough, the universe has one last surprise in store for us: on February 28, Mercury joins the party to complete an alignment that won't be repeated for centuries. Literally, in centuries. For this reason, this phenomenon has been nicknamed the “parade of the planets”. This planetary alignment occurs when several planets in the solar system coincide in the same quadrant of the sky from our Earth's perspective. We will not see such an alignment again before 2040. The reason? Each planet has its own “year”that is to say its period of orbit around the Sun. For example, a year on Mars lasts 687 days, but on Mercury it is 88 days, while on Jupiter it is twelve years.
Contrary to what its name might suggest, this alignment is not a straight line. Yes, we will be able to see all the planets in the sky, but not literally one after the other.
The last time we had a similar show was in 2022, but this 2025 lineup is special because it will last longer (almost a month), will culminate with the incorporation of Mercury on February 28 and will benefit from exceptional visibility. In the northern hemisphere, the planets will appear higher in the sky. In the southern hemisphere, countries like Chile and Argentina will also be able to enjoy this “parade of planets”, although they will be seen closer to the horizon.
|
date |
event |
What you can see |
|---|---|---|
|
January 21 |
Start of programming |
The 6 visible planets in formation |
|
January 24 to 26 |
Closest approach to Venus-Mars |
The meeting of the two closest planets |
|
February 1 to 3 |
Jupiter and Saturn in optimal position |
Gas giants at their best |
|
February 15 to 17 |
Crescent Moon as a Guide |
Perfect for locating planets |
|
February 28 |
Grand finale with Mercury |
The complete alignment of 7 planets |
How and when to look at the sky
The best time to pull out your iPhone and start your astronomy session is between one and two hours after sunset. The planets will appear in an arc in the west-southwest sky. To have about three hours each night to find the best angle and capture the perfect photo. And if the clouds decide to ruin your plan one evening, don't worry, the show lasts for over a month.
Step One: Make sure clouds aren't going to ruin your plan. There's nothing more frustrating than getting all the gear ready and the clouds deciding astronomy isn't on the agenda that night. It is therefore essential, before leaving, see sunset time and weather forecast. You will have all this information from the Apple Weather application.
- When you type it, scroll down. There you will find both the sunset time and the moon phase. Also essential for darkening the sky.
- Then, if you enter the maps section and click on the layers icon, you will be able to see the precipitation map. This way you can see whether or not there will be a cloud front in the next few hours.
Of course, the light pollution is enemy number one of any astronomical observation. If you live in the city, it's time to escape to the suburbs. The planets will be so close and aligned that they can be seen even in cities, but if you leave about 10-15 kilometers from the urban centerbetter than better. Elevated viewpoints or open fields are ideal.
How do you know what you see is actually a planet?
Obviously, in the sky there will be many more planets, stars, satellites… This is where Sky Guide comes into play, a practically magical application. With its free version, you have more than enough. As soon as you download it from the App Store, click on the compass icon that you see at the top right, then in the cube icon to activate augmented reality. So, as you move your iPhone, the different celestial bodies will stand out in the sky.
The planets have a trick to distinguish them: They don't blink like the stars. Their light is more constant and they are generally brighter. Venus, for example, is so bright that it is sometimes mistaken for an airplane.
Sky Guide
Bring the beauty of the stars closer to Earth. Hold Sky Guide above your head to automatically identify any star, constellation, planet or satellite.
Take the perfect photo of the parade of planets
Before you buy anything, there is a way to get the most out of your iPhone. night mode It's more powerful than you think, but you need to know some tricks to get special photos of the starry sky, it's similar to the tricks for taking photos of the moon.
- It is essential to use the main camera (x1 zoom).
- Focus manually by touching the sky.
- Activate night mode manually and set it to maximum.
The trick is to keep the iPhone as still as possible. You can lean it against a wall, the roof of the car, on the floor…but to be honest, A tripod will be essential to get a perfect photo of the sky. On Amazon, you offer iPhone tripods at very affordable prices. Plus, they will be useful for many other trips beyond night photography.
Amazon Basics – Extendable tripod up to 162 cm for iPhone smartphones, selfie stick mode and phone tripod mode, black
*Some prices may have changed since the last review
For the most ambitious, there are basic telescopes with accessories to be able to position the iPhone and take photos. If you are passionate about astronomy and want to start somewhere, this is a super interesting option. Even as a birthday gift, Christmas gift, etc.
MEEZAA Telescope, Professional Adult Ultra Powerful Astronomical Telescope 32X-240X, 90/800mm Refractor Telescopes for Kids and Beginners with Tripod and Phone Adapter Moon Watcher
*Some prices may have changed since the last review
With all this, you are ready to witness one of the most spectacular astronomical events of the year. And the best thing is that you have several weeks to perfect your technique and get the best photos. First find a good spot, then perfect your technique with night mode and remember to live and enjoy the moment.
Source | Star walking space
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