I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the northern hemisphere).

Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars will appear to line up and be bright enough to see with the naked eye in the first few hours after dark. This weekend, Venus and Saturn get especially cozy.

A rare parade of planets will light up the night sky throughout January. Six planets will be in alignment for the rest of the month – four of which will be visible with the naked eye, Preston Dyches,