Skygazers in India are in for a treat as a rare planetary parade is set to grace the night sky in January and February. This spectacular event in the coming weeks will see seven planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus - line up in the night sky.

While the first four will be visible all January, the other two won't be around for much longer.

A planetary parade occurs when several planets share the same general area of the sky from our perspective on Earth. While these planets aren't actually aligned in space, their positions relative to Earth create a visually stunning display. According to NASA, such alignments, particularly those involving four or more planets, are not everyday occurrences, making them special for sky watchers. According to The Independent, this alignment won't occur for another 400 years.

The optimal viewing time for this planetary parade will be shortly after sunset starting January 17. According to NASA, Venus and Saturn will be in conjunction, just a couple of finger widths apart in the sky on January 17-18. Mars is currently at opposition, directly opposite the Sun, making it easier to spot. You can download any astronomy app on your phone to locate these planets.

Rebecca Allen, co-director of Swinburne University's space technology and industry institute said per The Guardian, that the best time to view the planetary parade is around January 21 after sunset. Venus will be the first planet to rise after dusk. Mercury is said to join the parade on February 28.

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To get the best experience, choose a location with a clear view of the western horizon. Light pollution from urban areas can wash out the fainter planets, so heading out to rural or less light-polluted areas would enhance your viewing.

Venus and Jupiter will be the brightest, making them visible even in the city. Mars will glow with its distinctive reddish hue whereas Saturn will appear as a yellowish dot. Neptune and Uranus, being farther from the Sun, are much dimmer and will require binoculars or a small telescope to see clearly.

While the brighter planets are visible to the naked eye, for the best experience, binoculars or a telescope are recommended, especially for Neptune and Uranus. Clear skies are crucial. Give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. The darker your surroundings, the more you'll see.

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(Image: NASA)