Rare Planet Parade: 6 Planets Align in Night Sky

Skywatchers are set to witness a rare astronomical event this weekend as six planets align in the night sky in what is known as a “planet parade.”

The celestial lineup will feature Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — leaving only one planet absent from a full Solar System alignment. The phenomenon, while not unprecedented, remains relatively uncommon. A similar event last occurred in February 2025.

Observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have the clearest view of the planetary alignment from the evening of February 28 through March 1. The event will also be visible in the Southern Hemisphere, though viewing times may vary depending on location.

Four of the six planets — Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter — will be visible to the naked eye under clear skies. Uranus and Neptune, however, will require binoculars or a small telescope due to their faint brightness.

Venus is expected to appear especially bright and prominent. Mercury will be dimmer but visible low on the western horizon. Saturn will appear slightly higher in the east. Neptune will be difficult to spot without optical equipment, while Uranus and Jupiter will be positioned farther east. Jupiter will stand out due to its brightness and proximity to the Moon, whereas Uranus may be harder to identify without assistance.

Astronomy experts recommend beginning observations shortly after sunset. In regions such as Russia, for example, Moscow Observatory advises starting around 6:00 p.m. local time, when Saturn becomes visible above the horizon before setting later in the evening. Mercury and Neptune will follow, with Venus remaining visible slightly longer. Jupiter and Uranus will stay in the sky for several hours after the other planets disappear.

On February 28, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune will cluster near the western horizon at sunset, creating a particularly striking view within a short observational window. Jupiter and Uranus will remain visible longer, crossing the southern sky near the constellations Taurus and Gemini before setting later at night.

Astronomers recommend using sky-mapping apps such as Stellarium or SkyView to locate each planet more easily. For the best experience, observers should move away from city lights and avoid looking directly at the Sun through telescopes.

If cloudy skies obscure this weekend’s rare six-planet alignment, additional celestial displays are expected later this year. A smaller alignment involving Neptune, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus is anticipated on April 17, followed by a larger six-planet parade on August 10.

Planetary alignments offer a unique opportunity to observe multiple worlds in a single evening, highlighting the dynamic structure of our Solar System and drawing global attention from both amateur and professional astronomers.