A rare alignment of planets is captivating skywatchers across Brazil this Friday, February 28, 2025. The event features seven planets from our solar system—Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Mercury—cosmically arranged so they may be viewed at sunset from various locations throughout the country.
According to Dr. Alexandre Zabot, aerospace engineer and professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), viewing the alignment will require clear skies. “To visualize the alignment, observers should look to the western horizon at sunset,” he notes, adding, “If conditions align perfectly, it creates the opportunity for capturing all planets at once.”
Sky enthusiasts eager to witness this celestial spectacle will see the most notable planets with the naked eye: Mars, Venus, and Jupiter will shine brightly. These planets will appear before the others, albeit briefly, as they will set quickly following the Sun.
“At first glance, you can spot Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus as soon as the sun sets. After they vanish from the daylight sky, Mars will emerge shortly afterwards,” Zabot explains, indicating the sequential fading of visibility for most planets immediately after the sunset.
Dr. Gastão Cesar Bierrenbach from the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics, and Atmospheric Sciences emphasizes, “The alignment is visible right after sunset from any location with unobstructed views of the horizon. Nonetheless, Uranus and Neptune require specific equipment to be visible, and due to their meridian proximity to the Sun, Mercury and Saturn will be challenging to observe.”
Many observers may be disappointed, as the planets will not appear perfectly aligned like beads on a string. Instead, they will form an arc across the sky, illustrating the concept of planetary conjunction, which doesn’t imply closeness but rather the appearance of proximity from our viewpoint on Earth. “The planets are not actually close together; they merely appear so from our perspective,” adds Thiago Gonçalves, director of the Valongo Observatory at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
Adding to the phenomena's allure, the Moon will also be present, enhancing the visual experience. “When dusk settles, you will first see Venus, followed closely by Júpiter, sitting above it. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for Mars,” Ogando suggests, guiding observers’ focus westward where the Sun sets.
While the event generates excitement, some misconceptions have surrounded the rarity and potential impacts of planetary alignment. “This alignment, curiously, has gained visibility; and along with it, incorrect messages claiming it is extremely rare or even dangerous,” Ogando notes. He reassures the public, “The gravitational influence of the planets is negligible; events like these occur regularly, just not with all planets aligned at once.”
This event provides not just spectatorship but also serves as the perfect opportunity for public engagement with science. “Such moments are invaluable for raising awareness about the significance of astronomy,” Gonçalves stresses, “It encourages social connection, inspiring many to gaze at the night sky.”
Future planetary events will continue to offer more spectacular views, particularly between August 12 and 20, when another opportunity to see this celestial dance arises, highlighting another conjunction between Venus and Jupiter—the two brightest planets visible from Earth.
Skywatchers are encouraged to use planetarium apps to assist with their observations. Such tools not only aid identification but also enrich the stargazing experience. Keep in mind, planets do not twinkle like stars; they shine with steady light, allowing for relatively easier identification.
For those wishing to partake more actively, community events are planned at observatories across Brazil, including opportunities to avail telescopes for close-up exploration of the heavens. The wonders of our universe invite all of us to take part, gaze upward, and embrace the beauty orchestrated by the cosmic ballet of planets.