Planetary parade’ visible in UK tonight as part of rare event that won’t repeat for 400 years - Celestial spectacle will not be repeated for another 400 years

Stargazers hoping to view a rare celestial phenomenon that is lighting up the night sky have one month left. Six of the planets in our solar system are currently lining up in an event known as a planetary parade.

The Planetary Parade happens when three or more planets align in the night sky, appearing close together from Earth's perspective.

The best time to see this row of planets is on Friday evening (January 31) at 6.45pm UK time, according to Starwatch. If stargazers join up Venus, Jupiter and Saturn and Mars with an imaginary line in the sky, this will reveal the ecliptic path that the Sun, Moon and planets all follow.

Known as the "Parade of Planets," the celestial event will feature appearances from Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune and Saturn through the end of January, according to Farmer's Almanac. Mercury will emerge in the night sky at the end of February, replacing Saturn.

While claims of a “rare alignment” are overblown, you can still see up to six planets in the night sky this weekend. Here's how.

Four planets will visible to the naked eye this week - a rare occurrence that only happens once every few years. UK skies will be graced by the rare 'planetary parade', showing Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in a line.