The next compact gathering of planets, which include Venus, Mars and Jupiter, will not be until October 2015. But the next evening trio, where the planets will cluster two to six degrees like this week, will not take place until September 2040.

“We do need to have a good clear view to the horizon (and) we have to have good weather,” Abrams Planetarium Interim Director John French said.

French said this weekend MSU astronomers helped residents and students observe the rare planetary, gathering on top of parking ramp #1 between the CATA Transit Center and College of Law.

Volunteer Robert Victor said this week’s events stand out amidst the 46 years volunteering on and off with the planetarium.

Victor is the founder of the award-winning Sky Calendar magazine, which is published containing illustrations of the nightly arrangements of planets.

“It improves the quality of life for folks to enjoy nature,” Victor said.

For astrophysics junior and Abrams Planetarium production presenter David Saunders, the planet cluster provides an opportunity for everyday citizens to develop a “cosmic perspective of the world.”

Saunders said he got the best views of the trio on Friday and Saturday. He described Venus as so bright that it could have been mistaken for an airplane off the horizon.

“It was like a ‘eureka’ moment for a lot of people,” Saunders said. “Something clicks in their minds and they get sort of excited, they get sort of hypnotized by it.”