planetary alignments

Planetary alignments occur when planets appear to line up in a roughly straight line from our viewpoint on Earth. This phenomenon happens because the planets orbit the Sun at different distances and speeds. While these alignments may look visually interesting, they don't have significant gravitational effects on Earth. Ancient cultures often attributed mystical meanings to such events, but scientifically, they are natural occurrences based on the positions of celestial bodies in our solar system. Alignments can be rare, leading to heightened public interest and awareness when they occur.