• Residents of Hong Kong and India can witness a rare alignment of four bright planets until February.
• The phenomenon is described as a "planetary parade," involving Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
• In India, viewings peak around January 21 and 25, where a total of six planets will be visible.
• Optimal viewing conditions depend on local weather and light pollution.
• The planets appear aligned from Earth's perspective but are not physically in a straight line.

January 2023 heralds a spectacular astronomical event as stargazers in both Hong Kong and India can enjoy a rare planetary parade featuring four of the solar system's brightest planets: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. This phenomenon, which allows observers to see multiple planets in the night sky simultaneously, will be visible until the end of February in Hong Kong, according to curator Kenneth Chiu Kam-hung of the Hong Kong Space Museum. The museum will host a live stream event on January 21 from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM to provide insights into this celestial occasion for residents in the area (SCMP).

In India, while January 25 is touted as a significant date for this cosmic display, the parade can be observed across multiple evenings throughout the month. From January 21, viewers can catch a glimpse of not just four but six planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, alongside Neptune and Uranus—making their appearance in the night sky. Enthusiasts are advised to seek locations away from city lights to ensure optimal visibility of these distant worlds, especially for the more elusive Neptune and Uranus, which require telescopes for observation (India Times).

As Leung Wing-mo from the Hong Kong Observatory explained, while planetary parades happen annually, this particular configuration is remarkable due to the visibility of such bright planets. "The brightest planets are all here," he noted. With straightforward skies, both locations offer stargazers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with the vast universe.

For those interested in participating in this cosmic event, remember that conditions such as local weather and light pollution will play crucial roles in the clarity of the viewing experience. It's a great opportunity to explore the wonders beyond our planet.