DES MOINES, Iowa – A unique sight is visible across Iowa skies, and viewers only have a few weeks to see it.

The “planetary parade” will allow up to six planets to be seen with the help of binoculars or a telescope or four planets to be seen with the naked eye.

Saturn and Venus will be visible in the western sky with Jupiter higher in the sky and more towards the south. Mars can be seen in the eastern sky. The planets are most easily seen 30 minutes to an hour after sunset. While technically visible, Uranus and Neptune require a telescope to be seen.

Planetary alignments themselves are not rare. What is unusual is being able to see this many planets in the sky at once from Earth. The next time four to six planets will be this easily seen in the night sky will be in 2034.

The ‘planetary parade’ will be visible until February 16. Prime viewing (when the planets will appear closest) was on January 21st, but Saturday, January 25th will also offer good viewing.

To spot the planets more easily, apps are available for download on a smartphone or tablet that shows what planets or stars in the sky are visible.