February is ending with a celestial treat for stargazers as seven planets align in the night sky. This rare planetary parade includes Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. However, spotting all seven won’t be an easy task, according to astronomers.
When and Where to Look
The planetary alignment will be visible just after sunset, but some planets will be trickier to see than others. Mercury and Saturn, being closest to the Sun, might be lost in the Sun’s glare on Thursday and Friday evenings. However, Mercury will become easier to spot as it rises higher in the sky each day, said Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.
For the best chance of spotting Mercury and Saturn, find a location with a clear view of the western horizon and use binoculars just after sunset.
Venus and Jupiter, on the other hand, will be the easiest to see due to their brightness. Mars will also be distinguishable with its reddish-orange glow. However, Uranus and Neptune are not visible to the naked eye and will require a telescope or strong binoculars.
How to Spot Each Planet
Saturn and Mercury will be close to the horizon and likely visible only in twilight. Venus, the brightest of the planets, will also be in the western sky. According to EarthSky editor Marcy Curran, Neptune and Uranus require optical aid, while Jupiter and Mars, positioned higher in the sky, will become visible as darkness sets in.
To locate Mercury and Saturn, look low on the western horizon about 30 minutes after sunset. Using a stargazing app can also help pinpoint their exact locations in the sky, suggested Emily Elizondo, a doctoral student of physics and astrophysics at Michigan State University.
The planets will be distributed across the southern half of the sky, with Saturn and Mercury towards the southwest, Mars and Jupiter towards the southeast, and Neptune, Venus, and Uranus in between.
Use Venus as Your Guide
If you’re unsure where to look, Venus will serve as an excellent reference point. It will be at its brightest but will gradually drop lower in the western sky each night before disappearing by mid-March. According to NASA, Venus will reappear in the morning sky in April.
Unlike twinkling stars, Venus will shine as a steady, bright light high above the horizon. This makes it an easy target for skywatchers.
Bonus Celestial Event: The Cheshire Moon
On Friday evening, as twilight ends at 6:58 p.m. ET, a thin crescent moon—dubbed the “Cheshire Moon”—will make a brief appearance. This celestial event gets its name from the smiling grin of the Cheshire Cat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In Hawaiian mythology, this phase is called the “wet moon” because it resembles a bowl that could hold liquid, according to NASA.
For a short time, the crescent moon will appear above the western horizon before setting. Mercury will be just a few degrees above it, with Venus positioned higher up. This celestial trio—Venus, Mercury, and the crescent moon—will continue to appear in a line through Sunday.
How Long Will the Planets Be Visible?
According to astronomer John Goss, Jupiter will remain high in the southern sky for a couple of months, while Mars, positioned in the eastern sky, will be visible for three to four more months.
If bad weather obstructs your view, the Virtual Telescope Project will live-stream the planetary parade using its robotic telescopes in Manciano, Italy—an area known for its dark skies.
Why Are So Many Planets Visible Now?
All planets orbit the Sun in a flat disk, appearing along a curved line across the sky from Earth’s perspective. Typically, planets are spaced out along their orbital paths, but this February, they are positioned on the same side of the Sun. This unique alignment allows multiple planets to be seen together in the night sky.
“This February is special because instead of being widely spaced, the planets happen to cluster along a small portion of the sky, making this celestial event possible,” said Seth Jacobson, assistant professor in Michigan State University’s department of Earth and environmental sciences.
Don’t Miss This Rare Celestial Show!
This planetary alignment is a must-see event for astronomy enthusiasts. With the right timing, clear skies, and a good vantage point, you can witness one of the most remarkable cosmic displays of the year. So grab your binoculars, step outside after sunset, and enjoy the celestial spectacle!
