Planetary Parade to Light Up the Night Sky on Feb. 28, 2026
On February 28, 2026, six planets will appear aligned in the night sky, offering a rare celestial event for stargazers.
On Saturday evening, February 28, 2026, skywatchers will have the opportunity to witness a planetary parade featuring six planets in the solar system. This event occurs when planets appear to line up along the ecliptic, the path Earth follows in its orbit around the Sun. The alignment is not based on their actual distances from the Sun but on their current positions in their orbits.
The planets visible in the sky, from lowest to highest, will be Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter. However, Mars will not be visible during this time. The visibility of each planet is influenced by its elongation, the angle between the planet and the Sun as seen from Earth, as well as its altitude and brightness, measured by apparent magnitude.
To best observe the planetary parade, viewers are advised to find a dark location away from city lights and look west toward the setting Sun. The best viewing window will be between 30 minutes to an hour after sunset. Neptune and Uranus will require binoculars or a telescope, and astronomy apps like Stellarium can help identify planets against the night sky. Star hopping, using brighter planets as reference points, can also aid in locating fainter ones.
This celestial event highlights the interconnectedness of the universe and the ongoing exploration of space. The Mars Society encourages everyone to enjoy the spectacle and continue exploring the wonders of the cosmos.
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