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6 planets will parade across the night sky at the end of February
The rare planetary parade includes six planets visible mostly to the naked eye, with Uranus and Neptune requiring telescopes, peaking on Feb. 28 and lasting several days.
- On Saturday, February 28, a rare six-planet parade will appear shortly after sunset in the western sky, presenting an uncommon multi-planet grouping.
- Astronomers note that the planets appear grouped because they follow the ecliptic, the Solar System's shared orbital plane, and NASA says parades of six or seven planets are uncommon.
- Look west about 30 minutes to 1 hour after sunset from dark, unobstructed sites like ocean beaches and bring binoculars and a 6-inch telescope.
- Visibility will depend on weather, and the parade should be visible over the weekend if skies cooperate, with Mercury dipping below the horizon soon after sunset and the waxing gibbous moon about 92% illuminated near the Beehive Cluster.
- Historically, last February's seven-planet lineup—a rare event—won't recur until 2040, highlighting the rarity of such celestial displays, with a total lunar eclipse following on March 3.
188 Articles
188 Articles
Six worlds to line up in the sky
A rare celestial alignment will unfold in the evening sky this weekend as six planets — Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — appear strung out across the horizon in what astronomers describe as a "planetary parade". The spectacle, expected to draw skywatchers across Pakistan, will begin on Saturday (tomorrow), and continue into early March, offering a brief but striking opportunity to observe multiple planets at once. While plan…
A six‑planet parade will be visible this weekend: How to see
NEW YORK (PIX11) – An exciting event is happening in the sky this weekend. A “planet parade,” also known as a "planetary alignment," will take place in the evening sky on Feb. 28, with six planets lined up low over the western horizon shortly after sunset, according to NASA. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will [...]
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