For sky watchers, another rare astronomical event is on the agenda. On February 28, 2026, six planetary alignments will dazzle the sky after sunset.
The spectacular planetary parade will feature Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn and Uranus aligning along the ecliptic. The alignment will be visible in the southwestern sky from most regions.
Pattern of heavenly parade
In this astronomical event, Mercury, the closest and smallest planet, shines just after sunset. Venus appears to be the brightest and easiest to spot, followed by Jupiter and Saturn.
Jupiter can be easily spotted without special equipment because of its constant glow. Dimmer and further, Uranus and Neptune will need binoculars to see clearly.
When and where can you see the alignment?
The parade will be visible in the western sky 30-60 minutes after sunset around February 28, 2026. For a clear view, look to the southwestern horizon. The event will take place around 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM EST, when the sky becomes completely dark.
How can you see them?
You can see Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter with the naked eye. However, visibility of outer planets such as Neptune and Uranus will require binoculars, or possibly a telescope.
Reason behind the alignment
The planets in our solar system revolve in approximately the same flat plane around the sun, also called the ecliptic. These planets move at different speeds depending on their distance from the sun.
Therefore, six-planet alignment occurs when the clocks of these different orbits are in sync, so that, from our particular vantage point on Earth, the planets appear clustered in the same small part of the sky.
