This happened about 4½ billion years ago. Then the planets began to emerge, as the billions of particles of gas and dust left over from the Sun’s formation became a flattened disk.

Pluto was also missing from Tolkien's list of planets. Today, Pluto is no longer considered a planet, but in Tolkien's time, it certainly was.

Seven planets in a line is known to be the rarest of them all. For best viewing chances, look to the sky as soon as the sun sets. Which, is around 6:24 p.m. on Friday in Greenville, SC.

The stars aren't necessarily aligning tonight, but the planets will. To be exact, what's called a "planetary parade" will be occurring in the skies this evening, and into February.