February 28 planetary alignment time; Where to see planet parade 2026

This weekend, a rare celestial occasion will characteristic a vivid six-planet parade in a planetary alignment seen to stargazers.

Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter will will seem to line up on the horizon shortly after sundown on Saturday, Feb. 28. Four of the six planets can be seen to the unaided eye, whereas the opposite two would require some optical help.

A planetary alignment or planet parade consisting of three to 5 planets can happen each few months to each few years, nevertheless a lineup up of six or seven planets is extra uncommon.

Here’s what to find out about subsequent week’s “planet parade” and when your greatest probabilities of seeing planets within the sky can be.

What is a planetary alignment?

A planetary alignment is an astronomical occasion that happens when a number of planets are positioned collectively intently on one aspect of the Sun on the identical time. This can occur just a few occasions a 12 months, in line with Star Walk, an astronomy and space guide app.

There are various kinds of planetary alignments which rely on what number of planets take part. They vary from mini planetary alignment – three planets; small planetary alignment – 4 planets; giant planetary alignment – 5 or 6 planets; nice (full) planetary alignment – all Solar System planets (and Pluto typically). This upcoming alignment is a big planetary alignment.

When is the following planetary alignment?

The subsequent planetary alignment of will happen on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.

What is greatest time to see the planetary alignment?

The greatest time to view the planets can be simply after sundown on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026,

Where to look at the planetary alignment? How to look at the planet parade

Approximately half-hour after the sundown on Feb. 28, 4 of the six planets can be seen to the bare eye by wanting towards the western sky. Saturn, Neptune, Venus and Mercury can be low on the horizon and near the solar — for a really transient interval. The different two planets, Neptune and Uranus, would require binoculars or a telescope.

Saturn, Venus and Mercury can be close to the horizon to the west, and the very vivid Jupiter greater within the sky and extra to the east. Neptune and Uranus would require binoculars or a telescope.

Saturn is a really vivid distinctive yellow colour and Venus and Jupiter are additionally very vivid, whereas Mercury whereas seen to the bare eye could also be tougher to identify simply to the suitable of Venus. Neptune can be very near Saturn and the solar.

In the western sky, Mercury and Venus can be seen for about an hour after sundown, Saturn and Neptune can be seen for about 1.5 hours, whereas Uranus can be seen till midnight. Jupiter can be seen for many of the evening within the japanese sky.

Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based reporter with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.