On February 28, skywatchers around the world will have the rare opportunity to witness a seven-planet alignment, an event that won’t occur again until 2040. This “planetary parade” will see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune appearing to line up in the night sky. While some of these planets will be easily visible, others will require a telescope or binoculars to spot.
What is a Planetary Parade?
A planetary parade occurs when several planets appear in the same region of the sky at the same time. While three to five planets are often visible together in any given year, seeing all seven at once is much rarer. According to NASA, such events require a precise alignment of planets in their orbits around the Sun, allowing them to be seen from Earth at the same time.
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How to See the Seven-Planet Alignment
Astronomers recommend heading out shortly after sunset on February 28 for the best chance of seeing the alignment. The optimal time varies by location:
- United Kingdom – Around 6:00 PM UTC, just after sunset, looking towards the western horizon.
- United States – About 30 minutes after sunset, away from city lights.
- Australia – Looking north after sunset will provide the best view.
The planets will stretch across the ecliptic plane, the imaginary line that marks the Sun’s apparent path across the sky.
Which Planets Will Be Visible?
Not all seven planets will be easy to spot. Here’s a breakdown of how visible each will be:
- Venus, Mars, and Jupiter – These planets will be the brightest and easiest to see with the naked eye. Venus, in particular, will be a dazzling point of light in the western sky.
- Saturn and Mercury – These two will be close to the horizon, making them difficult to observe. A clear horizon and perfect timing will be necessary.
- Uranus and Neptune – These faint, distant planets will require binoculars or a telescope to see, especially Neptune, which will be barely visible in the twilight.
Why Do Planetary Alignments Happen?
Planetary alignments occur because all the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun on roughly the same plane, known as the ecliptic plane. However, since they move at different speeds and distances, they sometimes appear to “line up” from Earth’s perspective.
Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher at King’s College London, explains: “This alignment is a result of the planets orbiting in the same plane and at different speeds, creating moments where they appear close together in the sky.”
The Science Behind the Alignment
Although the planets may seem to be positioned closely in the sky, this is just an optical illusion from our viewpoint on Earth. In reality, they remain millions to billions of kilometers apart. Astronomers refer to such groupings as planetary conjunctions, where multiple planets appear near each other in the sky.
How Often Do These Alignments Happen?
While small-scale planetary alignments with three to five planets occur frequently, a full seven-planet parade is much rarer. The last time such an event occurred was in June 2023, but only two planets were visible without telescopes. A similar event in January 2025 included six planets, but now Mercury’s arrival completes the lineup. The next time all seven planets will be visible together in the night sky will be in 2040.
Will It Be a Spectacular Sight?
While a seven-planet alignment sounds impressive, astronomers caution that it may not be as breathtaking as some expect. Only four or five planets will be easily visible, while the others will require special equipment or perfect conditions to observe.
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Astronomer Dr. Greg Brown from the Royal Observatory Greenwich advises: “How impressive the alignment appears depends on how many planets are visible and how bright they are. Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will stand out, but Neptune and Saturn will be tough to see.” For those hoping to witness the full alignment, stargazing apps can help pinpoint where to look, and using a telescope can reveal details such as the moons of Jupiter or the crescent shape of Venus.