At the end of the year, space presented a gift to lovers of watching the night sky: in the evening, you can observe all eight planets of the solar system at the same time. An unusual phenomenon could be observed already on December 28, but on December 29 the planets will reach their closest approach, reports The Guardian..

It is noted that Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars can be seen in this order in the Northern Hemisphere with the naked eye, starting from the southwestern horizon and moving east. Between Mars and Jupiter is Uranus, and between Saturn and Jupiter is Neptune, which can be observed with binoculars or a telescope.

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The closest approach between the planets is expected at 23:00 on December 29, but the most optimal time for observing them is about half an hour after sunset every day until the end of the year. It is noted that Venus will disappear from view after 40 minutes.

“On these nights we can see all the planets in our solar system at a glance shortly after sunset.. It happens from time to time, but it's always a spectacular sight,"

Mercury will be the hardest to spot because it is in the bright part of the sky..

But the reference point in his search will be a much brighter Venus.. The brightest planet in the night sky will be Jupiter, albeit for a short time around midnight.. Mars will shine brightly all night.

Recall that in the night sky of late December and early January it will be possible to observe the long-period comet C / 2022 E3 (ZTF), which was first seen in March of this year. It is currently in the constellation Northern Corona and can be seen about an hour before dawn..