As January draws to a close, stargazers can observe six planets in the evening sky, a rare celestial event. Kazem Kookarm, spokesperson for the Iranian Amateur Astronomy Association, reported that Venus, known for its brightness, can be seen shortly after sunset. It appears as a crescent when viewed through a telescope.
Near Venus, Saturn, the ringed planet, is also visible to the naked eye. Observers can enjoy the view of its stunning rings with a telescope.
Neptune is located close to these two planets but requires a telescope to be seen, appearing as a tiny disk. To the east, Mars is in opposition, making it brighter than usual, while Jupiter shines prominently in the night sky. Uranus is also present but, like Neptune, needs optical assistance to be spotted.
Kookarm emphasized that this is an excellent opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts and students, as the simultaneous visibility of six planets occurs approximately every one to two years. Observers are encouraged to visit local observatories to witness this celestial display.
An educational workshop for observing Mars and Jupiter will take place at the Mina Dome Planetarium in Tehran on January 30, following sunset, where participants can use a large telescope to view these planets if weather conditions permit.