On the evening of Saturday, February 28, 2026, a remarkable celestial event will unfold: six planets—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will align in what astronomers call a "planetary parade," giving skywatchers across the globe a rare opportunity to witness nearly half the solar system clustered together in the night sky. The phenomenon, though not physically meaningful in terms of planetary influence, is visually stunning and draws excitement from both seasoned astronomers and casual stargazers alike, according to National Geographic and NASA.
The planetary parade is set to occur because the orbits of these six planets will bring them into roughly the same area of the sky from Earth’s perspective. As Dr. Megan Argo, reader in astrophysics at the University of Lancashire, explained, “We’re seeing this alignment now because the planets’ orbits have brought them into roughly the same area of the sky from our perspective on Earth. Since each planet circles the sun at a different speed, they constantly shift position against the backdrop of stars. Only occasionally do their paths line up in a way that places several of them together in our night sky.” She noted that while it’s fairly common to spot four or five planets at the same time, seeing six is much rarer. “All seven were visible together last year, but the next full line up won’t occur again until 2040.”
The best viewing window for the 2026 planetary parade is expected to begin about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset, with slight variations depending on your location. For those in the U.S., experts recommend heading outside around 6 p.m. local time, while in the UK, 5:45 p.m. is optimal. In Australia, the event will be visible after 6:45 p.m. local time, but with Mercury so close to the horizon, it may be difficult to spot there, as noted by The Guardian.
Observers are advised to look toward the western horizon from a location with an unobstructed view—ideally a hill or open field far from city lights. Clear skies and minimal light pollution are essential for the best experience, as even a little atmospheric haze or urban glow can obscure the fainter planets. According to the National Weather Service, some regions, such as Oklahoma City, may face rain or even strong-to-severe thunderstorms on the evening of February 28, potentially hindering visibility in those areas.
So, what exactly will you see if you step out at the right time? Venus and Jupiter will be the brightest and easiest to spot, shining with a steady, brilliant glow. Venus, in particular, will be the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon, appearing low on the western horizon shortly after sunset. Jupiter will be higher in the sky, visible for most of the night. Saturn, with its distinctive yellow hue, and Mercury, appearing faint and low near the horizon, should also be visible to the naked eye under favorable conditions. As Dr. Heidi Haviland, planetary scientist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, shared with CNN, “Typically, Venus is the first one that pops up,” and Mercury will be “the hardest to spot without visual aids, but your best chance to see it is about 30 to 60 minutes after local sunset.”
Uranus and Neptune, the two ice giants, are much dimmer and will require binoculars or a small telescope to detect. Uranus will be positioned in the constellation Taurus, while Neptune will sit close to Saturn near the horizon, making it a particularly challenging target in the twilight. Dr. Argo advised that a stargazing app can help locate Uranus, which will be faint and situated just below the group of stars known as the Seven Sisters.
For those planning to catch the event, there’s no need to worry about protective eyewear, as is required for solar eclipses. However, NASA and astronomers caution never to look at the Sun through binoculars or a telescope, as this can cause permanent eye damage. The parade will form a gentle arc across the sky—rather than a ruler-straight line—spreading from the horizon upward. In the northern hemisphere, Jupiter will be high in the southeast, with Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, and Venus clustered low in the west. In the southern hemisphere, the pattern appears reversed, with Jupiter to the north and Uranus visible in the northwest above the Seven Sisters.
The visibility duration for each planet varies: Mercury and Venus will be visible for about an hour after sunset, Saturn and Neptune for about 1.5 hours, Uranus until midnight, and Jupiter for most of the night. Mars, which sometimes joins such parades, won’t be part of this particular lineup, but Saturn’s yellowish hue and Jupiter’s brightness should still make for a memorable spectacle.
Beyond the visual delight, NASA points out that planetary alignments serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the importance of orbital geometry in space science. As Dr. Haviland put it, “The InSight mission had to wait a full year for the Earth & Mars to align to their closest approach so planetary orbits and their position to the Earth play an important role in mission design.” The parade is also a nod to skywatching traditions, connecting modern observers with generations past who marveled at similar cosmic displays.
To celebrate the event, NASA has released new sonifications—astronomical data translated into sound—from its Chandra X-ray Observatory, featuring Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus. It’s a creative way to engage the public and add another sensory dimension to the appreciation of our solar system’s wonders.
For those unable to catch the planetary parade due to weather or location, there are other exciting celestial events on the horizon. On March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas—a dramatic “blood moon” that won’t be seen again from North America until December 2028. And on May 31, a blue moon—the second full moon in a single calendar month—will grace the skies, though it won’t actually appear blue in color.
While the six-planet alignment on February 28, 2026, is a fleeting spectacle, it offers a rare chance to see the solar system’s grandeur firsthand. Whether you’re an experienced astronomer or just someone who enjoys gazing upward, this planetary parade is a reminder of our place in the cosmos—and the beauty that unfolds above us, if we only take the time to look.