Claims of a "rare planetary alignment" are misleading; it's just visible planets. A true "golden conjunction" occurs on Sept. 8, 2040.

Mars will be making its closest approach to Earth in two years, and thus, the mighty red planet, named for the god of war himself, will appear brighter, bigger, and bolder in the night sky. This Martian exclamation point will further amplify the experience of the alignment.

January started out with a meteor shower and now has a planetary alignment in store. Here's what you'll be able to see and when to catch the event.

Skywatchers can spot Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in the night sky with the naked eye, but two other planets might need a telescope to be seen.