A rare astronomical spectacle is unfolding tonight as six planets — Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — begin to align in the evening sky, creating a striking “planetary parade” visible around the world. The event, occurring on February 28, 2026, offers skywatchers a unique opportunity to observe multiple solar system worlds together shortly after sunset, stretching across the western horizon in a gentle arc as Earth’s position relative to their orbits brings them into the same region of the sky.
This alignment, known informally among astronomers as a “planetary parade,” isn’t a literal line in space but rather an apparent grouping from Earth’s perspective due to the planets’ positions along the ecliptic plane. While Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye under clear, dark skies, Uranus and Neptune will likely require binoculars or a small telescope because of their faint brightness and distance.
Astronomers recommend looking westward about 30–45 minutes after sunset for the best viewing window and choosing areas with minimal light pollution. This planetary parade is one of the most accessible sky events of the year and won’t recur in a similar fashion for many years, making it a special treat for casual observers and seasoned stargazers alike, news as reported.
