A rare space event could spark a wave of panicky UFO alerts on Monday.

Jupiter and Venus will hang low in the sky near each other on the north-eastern horizon at about 5am.

And they will be so bright they could look like a UFO.

The Society for Popular Astronomy said: “They will be so close together that it’s going to be quite a striking sight.

“Undoubtedly people could mistake them for a UFO, especially being so low down.

"They might appear to move around because of the distortion effect of the atmosphere.”

It will be the closest conjunction of the planets since 2000.

The SPA added: “People who have buildings, hills or trees in the way might miss it, but even a roof top in London should offer a good view. "

-The Mirror