Skywatchers will enjoy a stunning display of six and seven planets “lining up” in February.

This planetary alignment, often referred to as a “planet parade,” will light up our night skies shortly after sunset, based on information from SkyatNightMagazine. Throughout early February, we’ll spot six planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn – and then on February 28, Mercury will join the group.

However, not all of these planets will be easily visible. To catch a glimpse of Neptune and Uranus, you will require high-powered binoculars or a telescope. Saturn might be tricky to spot as well, given it will be located close to the sun, according to StarWalk.

While it’s not unusual for a few planets to be in line, witnessing four or five bright planets simultaneously is a rarer sight, as noted by NASA.

What Causes the Alignment?

The planets in our solar system orbit the sun perpetually, which means they occasionally catch up to each other. Since they move along a shared path known as the ecliptic while passing Earth, it appears as though they are in alignment, according to NASA. This alignment, however, is temporary because each planet moves at varying speeds.

Where to Spot the Planetary Alignment

To see the planetary alignment, look towards the southern sky about an hour and a half after sunset. This phenomenon will be observable from nearly everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, depending on weather conditions. The alignment of six planets is expected to last from Saturday until February 9, as reported by Popular Science.

Seven-Planet Alignment on February 28

On February 28, seven planets – Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars – will come together, creating a breathtaking celestial event, according to StarWalk. Saturn will be the most challenging to observe since it will be positioned very close to the sun, requiring precise timing to see it from your location.

Overview of the Visible Planets

In our solar system, there are eight planets, including Earth, each possessing unique characteristics. Here’s a quick overview of the planets that will be aligning this month:

When Will Planets Align Again?

◾ February 28: Seven planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. (The last occurrence of all seven planets aligning happened on April 8, 2024, during the total solar eclipse).

◾ August 29, 2025: Six planets – Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

This story has been updated to include the latest information.