Skygazers are in for a rare treat as seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—align in the night sky to close out February. However, astronomers caution that spotting all of them at once will be a challenge.
A Spectacular but Tricky Sight
The planets will all be above the horizon just after sunset, but Mercury and Saturn will be difficult to see due to their proximity to the Sun’s glare. Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, will stand out, while Mars will be recognizable by its reddish-orange hue.
Neptune and Uranus, however, are too dim to be seen without optical aid. Astronomers recommend using binoculars or a telescope to catch a glimpse of these outer planets.
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“The best time to look is about 30 minutes after sunset,” said Marcy Curran, an editor at EarthSky. “Mercury and Saturn will be low on the western horizon, with Venus shining brightly nearby. As the sky darkens, Jupiter and Mars will become visible higher up.”
Using Venus as a Guide
For those unsure where to look, astronomers suggest finding Venus first. As the brightest object in the evening sky, Venus will be easily recognizable. Below it, Mercury will appear closer to the horizon, while the crescent moon will briefly align with both planets.
“Let bright Venus be your guide,” Curran added. “Once you find it, scan below for a skinny little moon and Mercury.”
Why This Event Is Happening
The alignment occurs when the orbits of the planets bring them all to the same side of the Sun, creating the appearance of a curved line from our perspective on Earth.
“All our planets orbit in a flat disk around the Sun,” said Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. “From Earth’s viewpoint, this forms a natural path across the sky known as the ecliptic, along which the planets can be seen.”
While planetary alignments are not uncommon, this specific arrangement is special because all seven visible planets are grouped closely along a small segment of their path, allowing them to be seen together in the sky.
How Long Will the Planets Be Visible
In the coming days, Mercury will rise higher in the sky, making it easier to spot. Jupiter will remain visible for a couple more months, while Mars will be in the night sky for the next three to four months. Venus, on the other hand, will gradually sink lower each night and will be out of sight by mid-March, only to reappear in the morning sky in April.
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If the weather makes it difficult to see, astronomy fans can watch a live stream from the Virtual Telescope Project in Italy, which will showcase the alignment using robotic telescopes in dark skies.
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