A rare celestial event will unfold on the evening of Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, when seven planets line up in the night sky in a phenomenon called Planetary Parade. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will appear in a near-straight formation, creating a dazzling spectacle for skywatchers.
Most of these planets have been visible since January, but Mercury will briefly join the alignment before disappearing in early March.
Around the same time, Saturn will sink lower in the sky, making it harder to see as it merges with the sunset’s glow. This rare event will be the last time these planets appear together so clearly until 2040.
According to Dr Edward Bloomer, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, “There’s a rare opportunity to have seven planets in essentially a convenient place for you to look for them.”
How to watch the planetary parade?
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere will have the best chance to see the alignment shortly after sunset, around 8:30 p.m. local time. While five of the planets will be visible to the naked eye, Uranus and Neptune require a telescope due to their dimness and the interference of twilight glare.
7-Planet Alignment on February 28, 2025! 🪐🔭
A rare planetary alignment is coming on February 28, 2025, and it won’t happen again this decade! Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars will line up in the evening sky right after sunset. 🌅✨
👀 What to Expect:… pic.twitter.com/dvujRmPR5J
— Star Walk (@StarWalk) February 25, 2025
Saturn may also be difficult to spot in some locations because of its position near the horizon. Experts recommend finding a dark area away from city lights to improve visibility.
Observers should find a dark area away from city lights for better visibility. According to Dr. Bloomer, the key is patience and allowing time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Why do Planetary Alignments Happen?
Planetary alignments, or conjunctions, occur when two or more planets appear close together in the sky. While this is an optical illusion – since the planets remain vast distances apart in space – it happens because they all orbit the sun on a nearly flat plane. Occasionally, their different speeds and distances align them from Earth’s perspective.
These alignments are not uncommon, but the more planets involved, the rarer they become. The three closest planets to the sun – Mercury, Venus and Earth – line up within a small area of the sky every 39.6 years.
However, for all eight planets to align that closely, it would take 396 billion years, something that has never occurred and never will. Long before that, the sun will expand into a red giant, likely engulfing Mercury, Venus, and possibly Earth.
Crucial timing of the sight
Although planetary alignments happen periodically, seeing seven planets in one night is unusual. Stargazers who wish to witness the event should plan ahead, as Mercury’s brief appearance and Saturn’s fading visibility make timing crucial.
For the best experience, experts advise using a telescope to capture the full planetary parade. With clear skies and proper timing, observers will have a rare opportunity to witness a cosmic event that won’t happen again for years.
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