Get ready for an amazing sight at the end of the month! Six planets will line up in the night sky. This event, called a ‘planetary parade’ or planetary alignment, happens when at least four or five planets are visible together, according to NASA.
On February 28, stargazers can spot Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune close together in the sky. It’s a rare chance to see this planetary display, reports the Guardian.
Why Do Planetary ‘Parades’ Happen?
This phenomenon occurs because the planets orbit the Sun on a similar path known as the ecliptic plane. Each planet moves at different speeds and distances from the Sun. Sometimes, from our view on Earth, they seem to line up.
The distances between them are still huge — millions to billions of kilometers apart. The alignment is just a visual effect and doesn’t mean the planets are close together in space.
Has This Happened Before?
Yes! On February 27, 2025, seven planets —Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune— lined up in a rare event that won’t happen again until 2040.
Astronomer Greg Brown from the Royal Observatory Greenwich told PA Media: ‘Seeing groups of three, four, or even five planets together is common and happens every year… But when more planets are involved, it takes special conditions for them all to be visible at once. Full parades of seven planets are quite rare.’
Which Planets Can You See Without A Telescope?
Nasa says these events can last from a few weeks to over a month since planetary movements are slow. Some people might see the phenomenon even earlier; however, February 28 is the best date as the planets will be more closely grouped in the evening sky.
You can see four planets —Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter— with your own eyes. Uranus and Neptune will need binoculars or a telescope because they are far away and not very bright. Mercury might be tricky to spot since it will be low near the horizon.
When Is The Best Time To Watch?
The best time to see the alignment is about 30 minutes after sunset. The Star Walk app suggests looking low on the western horizon from a spot with a clear view and good skies.
Nasa notes that for a planet to be seen without help, it should be at least a few degrees above the horizon. Ten degrees or more is ideal. ‘This is important because Earth’s atmosphere near ground level dims celestial bodies as they rise or set,’ Nasa explains. They add: ‘Even bright planets can be hard or impossible to see when they are very low since their light gets scattered and absorbed before reaching us.’
Where Can You See The ‘Parade’?
The planetary alignment will be visible worldwide. However, since February 28 is the peak date, it may be better seen a few days before or after in different regions.
According to Star Walk, February 25 is best for São Paulo; February 28 for Athens, New York City, Mexico City, and Tokyo; March 1 for Beijing, Berlin, London, and Mumbai; and March 2 for Reykjavik.
