Planet parade: Stargazers to see almost all planets align in the night sky at the same time in rare planetary alignment

Expert says the planet parade will be best viewed around 21 January and recommends downloading a sky map app to help see when the planets align

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Stargazers are being treated to a rare planetary alignment this month, also known as a planet parade", with most of the planets visible in the night sky at the same time.

Astrophysicist Dr Rebecca Allen, co-director of Swinburne University's space technology and industry institute, said it would be a rare opportunity to see so many planets align, especially outer ones such as Neptune.