The year 2025 is proving to be a good year for astronomy lovers, as the night sky holds the promise of celestial events that are bound to leave stargazers in awe.
One of the standout features of 2025 is the string of planetary alignments that have already begun to captivate astronomy enthusiasts worldwide. The alignment of six planets, visible to the naked eye, has already sparked great excitement in social media and astronomy circles.
"While many were initially led to believe that the alignment of January 25 was a once-in-a-lifetime event, this stunning celestial occurrence is far from over," says the president of the Association of Friends of Astronomy, Satish Nayak.
"In fact, this planetary alignment will be visible till the third week of February, giving stargazers plenty of time to witness the phenomenon for themselves," he adds.
While many were initially led to believe that the alignment of January 25 was a once-in-a-lifetime event, this stunning celestial occurrence is far from over.
Satish Nayak, President of the Association of Friends of Astronomy
In Goa, the excitement surrounding these celestial events has been palpable, especially with the increasing number of public observatory visits. The Association of Friends of Astronomy (AFA) has reported a significant rise in footfalls at their observatories, particularly at the Panjim and Margao centres.
On January 25, record-breaking crowds gathered to get a closer look at the planetary alignment, eagerly awaiting their turn to observe the celestial spectacle through telescopes.
The excitement among the public has been contagious, with more and more people looking to engage with these rare events and learn more about the wonders of the universe.
Recognising the overwhelming interest and demand, the AFA has taken steps to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the event.
The Panjim Observatory, at Junta House, has extended its viewing hours, and is open from Monday to Saturday for the public to enjoy the ongoing celestial display.
Additionally, the Margao Observatory, at Ravindra Bhavan, will be open for public viewing on Tuesday, January 28, and Saturday, February 1. Not stopping there, the AFA has expanded their outreach to include more locations for the public to enjoy.
Viewing programmes will also take place in Porvorim (at Vidya Prabhodini High School) on Tuesday, January 28; and in Mapusa (at Saraswat College Ground) on Thursday, January 30.
A special evening viewing will also be held in Vasco on Friday, January 31, starting at 7.30 pm.
These events offer astronomy enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to observe the planets in detail and deepen their understanding of the cosmos.
Best of all, entry to all venues is completely free, with no prior registration required. The prime viewing times for these celestial wonders will be from 7 pm to 8.30 pm, giving stargazers the perfect window to enjoy the spectacle.
For those looking to stay updated on all the latest information regarding these events, including the addition of new viewing spots, the Association of Friends of Astronomy has made it easy to access details on their website, afagoa.org.