Stargazers are in for a treat for the next two weeks, as five planets align and become visible to the naked eye for the first time in more than a decade.

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be prominent in clear skies until about mid-February.

The alignment has not been seen since January, 2005.

Dr Grant Christie, an astronomer at the Stardome Observatory in Auckland, said it is a good chance for people to see something rare.

He advises people to be up at five in the morning and look due north.

The only planet that will not be seen clearly until late next week is Mercury.