Rare Planet Alignment: Six Planets Lining Up This Month

WASHINGTON DC – Space fans will be in for a treat at the end of this month as six planets will appear close together in the night sky

This phenomenon, known as a planetary parade or planetary alignment, occurs when at least four or five planets can be seen at the same time, according to NASA. On February 28, stargazers will have the opportunity to see Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune align in the sky – making this a rare planetary display.

Why does the planetary parade occur?

This phenomenon occurs because the planets orbit the sun in a nearly flat plane, known as the ecliptic plane. Although each planet moves at a different speed and distance, there are times when some planets appear aligned from Earth’s perspective.

This alignment is just a visual effect, because in reality, the planets remain millions to billions of kilometers from each other.

Has this happened before?

Yes. On February 27, 2025, seven planets including Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune lined up in a rare sight that will not be seen again until 2040.

At the time of the event, Greg Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told PA Media: “Groups of three, four or even five visible planets are not unusual, and appear frequently throughout the year… But the more planets involved, the more things need to align to be visible at once. This makes a full parade of seven planets quite rare.”

Which planets can be seen with the naked eye?

According to NASA, the opportunity to observe multiple planets at once can last from several weeks to more than a month, because planetary movements are slow and gradual. Some people will be able to witness this alignment as early as this weekend, but what makes February 28th especially special is that the planets will be in their tightest clusters and several planets may be visible together in the night sky.

Four planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter – will be visible to the naked eye. However, Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or a telescope because they orbit in the cold and distant regions of the outer solar system. Mercury may sometimes be difficult to see due to its low position near the horizon.

When is the best time to watch the planet parade?

The optimal time to observe this array of stars is around 30 minutes after local sunset, with Star Walk recommending observers look towards the lower west, ideally with an unobstructed view and clear weather conditions.

NASA explains that for a planet to be visible without optical aid, it must be at least a few degrees above the horizon, with 10 degrees or higher being the best position.