SINGAPORE — Stargazers in Singapore are in for a treat this weekend as the International Space Station (ISS) will make an appearance in our skies along with Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mercury.

According to the Science Centre Observatory Facebook page, the ISS will be visible tomorrow morning (Jan 30) between 6.02am and 6.05am as it makes its pass across the sky.

“You should see it as a very bright point of light — nearly as bright as Jupiter — skimming the horizon just below Venus,” said the science centre.

(Photo: Science Centre Observatory)

As satellite passes happen very quickly, it is important to have a synchronised watch to get the timing right, advised Science Centre Singapore. Another tip: Calibrate your watches against a GPS unit, or via online clocks, to ensure you don’t miss out.

On Sunday morning, there will be another ISS pass, but it would be rather low on the horizon, said the science centre. But stargazers can most likely catch another glimpse of the ISS on Monday morning between 5.55am and 5.58am as it will appear overhead in the sky. The ISS will be as bright as Venus has been over the last few days, said the science centre.

(Photo: Science Centre Observatory)

Singaporeans have been treated to a rare astronomical sight since last Wednesday (Jan 20) with Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus and Mercury able to be seen with the naked eye.

The five planets appeared together in the skies for the time in a decade, with the sight set to last till Feb 20. Science Centre Singapore said the astronomical alignment is likely to happen again in August this year. According to the UK’s Royal Astronomical Society, the five planets will then not be seen together again until October 2018.

Wednesday (Jan 27) offered an extra special view as the Moon also came in alignment with the five planets.

(Photo: Science Centre Observatory)

(Photos taken at Caldecott Hill using the SkyView app to create a composite showing the planets' relative positions)

Dr Cindy Ng, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Physics at the National University of Singapore told TODAY that the planetary alignment was a “special event”.

“Usually, we see the five planets in the night sky at different times of the night. It is thus a special event to observe all five planets in the night sky at one time.”

The best timing to see all five planets will be around 6am, and the one of the best places will be at East Coast Park, said Science Centre Singapore. The planetary parade can also be viewed from one’s home, if there is a high and unobstructed view to the Eastern horizon.

Another good opportunity to get the best view of the planets will be on the weekend just before Chinese New Year. This will be when Mercury, located near both the Moon and Venus, will be the easiest to spot.

(Photos: Science Centre Observatory)

Dr Ng recommended the use of an astronomy mobile app to locate the planets in the night sky.

“An average person can see the phenomenon, provided he knows which are the planets. Generally, the planets do not appear to twinkle like the stars. Venus appears brightest, followed by Jupiter, and both Venus and Jupiter appear brighter than all the stars. Mars appears reddish, and both Mars and Saturn appear faint. Mercury appears very faint and very close to the Sun. An average person can also use an astronomy mobile app to locate the planets in the night sky. Many such mobile apps are free and are user friendly,” Dr Ng said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY WONG PEI TING