Overview
- Best viewing is roughly 30–60 minutes after local sunset toward a clear western to southwestern horizon, with the lowest planets setting quickly.
- Jupiter will be the brightest and easiest target, while Mercury, Venus and Saturn sit low in twilight and fade soon after sunset.
- NASA says Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter can be seen without equipment, but Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or a small telescope.
- The display is visible from most regions worldwide if skies are clear and light pollution is low, though results will vary by location and horizon.
- Safety and expectations are emphasized by experts, including the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, which urges waiting until after sunset to use optics and cautions against hype about a “perfect” alignment.