Why are we so obsessed with the planets aligning?

Since the end of January, it has been possible to observe some of the main planets of the Solar System in the night sky with the naked eye. However, the most interesting aspect has emerged since the beginning of the week, when Mercury joined the already visible Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. That is why tonight (weather conditions permitting), it will be possible to witness the alignment of all these planets, accompanied by a thin waning crescent moon. This phenomenon, known as the "planet parade", is quite rare in this complete form: according to statements from the BBC, a similar event will not occur again until 2040. An important detail is that this phenomenon will be even more visible just after sunset, thanks to the new moon phase, which makes the sky darker. With the Moon not excessively illuminating the sky, visibility conditions improve significantly, making the planets stand out more prominently.

But why has interest in this parade exploded across both traditional and digital media? In reality, major astronomical events occur more often than one might think. However, some manage to break out of the strictly scientific sphere and enter the collective imagination—just as happens with eclipses or when a particularly bright comet appears. One of the main reasons lies in astrology, the "cousin" of astronomy, which has been considered a pseudoscience for centuries but has now become a highly popular pastime among younger generations, particularly Gen Z. In recent days, numerous social media posts have associated the planet parade with alleged effects on natal charts. Astrologers (or aspiring ones) and content creators have pointed out that the energy of this phenomenon could "amplify" from planet to planet, transforming this day into a special moment for manifestation. For instance, TikTok creator Alexie Gigi published a video explaining how the alignment would enhance the energy of each celestial body, thus influencing the lives of those observing from Earth.

Clearly, believing in these interpretations is a personal choice. What is certain, however, is that phenomena like the "planet parade" continue to spark growing fascination, thanks in part to the power of social media. The boom of the hashtag #astronomy on TikTok, which has seen a +239% growth in one year and over 200,000 videos uploaded, is tangible proof of this trend. More and more people are approaching science as a new hobby, using these opportunities to learn something new while gazing at the sky. This renewed passion has given rise to a new wave of science communicators who seamlessly blend education and entertainment: accounts like @astro_alexandra, with nearly 3 million followers and hundreds of millions of likes, show how curiosity about the cosmos can turn into a true viral phenomenon. After all, astronomy is inherently captivating—whether it’s an eclipse or a spectacular planetary alignment, the sky always offers a reason to wonder about the universe surrounding our planet. Who knows, in the coming years, a passion for astronomy might spread even further, perhaps even rivaling astrology for a prominent place in pop culture.