A rare planetary alignment featuring six planets will be visible across the night sky from anywhere on Earth. The event excludes Mars, which is positioned on the opposite side of the sun. Observers can best view it on 28 February and 1 March.
Planetary alignments, sometimes referred to as planet parades, occur every few years when the orbits of the planets position them on the same side of the sun. These events result from the varying orbital periods in the solar system: Mercury completes its orbit in 88 Earth days, while Neptune takes approximately 165 Earth years. The alignment traces a line across the sky along the ecliptic, the path the sun follows during the day, though the slight tilts of planetary orbits prevent a perfect lineup. From outside the solar system, the planets would not appear aligned, as this is an optical effect from their shared orbital plane.
This upcoming parade will include Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter. It follows a great alignment in February 2025, where all seven planets were visible at once, highlighting how such events can cluster or be spaced years apart.
For optimal viewing, find a location with a clear western horizon and minimal light pollution. On 28 February, the best time is less than an hour after sunset, when Mercury and Venus appear low on the horizon. Saturn and Neptune will be positioned just above them, followed by Uranus higher up, and Jupiter near the nearly full moon. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter should be visible to the naked eye. Binoculars are needed for Uranus due to its distance, and a telescope for Neptune.