On the evening of February 28, 2025, stargazers worldwide have the chance to witness a spectacular astronomical event: the alignment of seven planets across the night sky. A phenomenon often referred to as a "planet parade,” this event features planets including Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars lined up after sunset. Astronomers and enthusiasts suggest this rare occurrence is worth preparing for, but they also raise expectations to temper the excitement.
The best time to observe the planetary alignment will be between approximately 18:00 and 19:00, with the most visibility expected shortly after the sun goes down around 18:13. Notably, from 18:50 to 19:10, all seven planets can be spotted at once, according to Jaap van 't Leven, of the Volkssterrenwacht Bussloo. “You’ll need to look to the southwest horizon where they will be appearing,” van 't Leven noted.
Five of the planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, making them accessible to many amateur astronomers, even those living under light-polluted urban skies. Venus will be the most prominent, shining as the brightest point, whereas Mercury will be the challenge to spot due to its low position close to the horizon. "Neptune and Uranus, being much fainter, require the aid of binoculars or telescopes to be observed," Esther Hanko from the Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy explained.
While many expect to see a breathtaking tableau of bright lights, it’s important to approach with realistic expectations. “The announcement of this ‘planetary show’ is somewhat misleading,” Hanko cautions. Observers might only see barely illuminated dots on the horizon rather than the eye-catchingly arranged planets depicted on various websites. "For good visibility, find open areas away from buildings and trees,” she suggested, emphasizing the need for clear sightlines.
It’s also worth noting the planetary positions will differ by location. According to Gerrit Dreise, who has been involved with the local observatory for over 40 years, says the wooded areas surrounding some observatories, such as the one at Lochem, will not provide adequate views. “We would have liked to host public astronomy nights, but it wouldn’t be fair to raise expectations if people couldn’t see most planets here,” he said.
Conversely, on Terschelling’s Dark Sky Park De Boschplaat, the chances look optimistic. Melis de Vries from vacation park Tjermelân commented, "From the dune top facing the Wadden Sea, views should be unobstructed. On clear nights, many guests are already impressed by the brilliant view of the Milky Way visible here." The upcoming days beyond February 28 will still hold some opportunities to glimpse the alignment, but many of the planets will begin to shift positions significantly by early March.
How rare is this planetary parade? Vincent Icke, an astronomy professor at Leiden University, pointed out, "Such alignments of seven planets across one portion of the sky happen approximately once every 80 to 100 years.” Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn will be easily identifiable during this event, with Mars being characterized by its reddish hue. Interestingly, the planets behave differently, with Neptune taking nearly 165 years to orbit the sun compared to the speedy Mercury, which completes its orbit every 88 days.
While stargazers prepare for one of the most unique astronomical events of the decade, local astronomy societies are also taking advantage of the interest. The upcoming Landelijke Sterrenkijkdagen, occurring on March 7 through 9, will host events all over the country, allowing enthusiasts to explore beyond just planets but also galaxies and nebulas with advanced telescopes.
With popular mobile apps providing stargazing assistance, aspiring skywatchers can easily locate the planets for enhanced experiences. “Planets’ steady light differentiates them from twinkling stars, making them identifiable as you locate one and follow the others aligned,” suggests Magdel Erasmus, meteorologist with Buienradar.
This planetary alignment presents not only scientific excitement but has also captured the imaginations of many. Although there’s always uncertainty surrounding clear skies and weather conditions, enthusiasts are advised to remain hopeful. Jean Colasio, full of optimism, stated, “Here’s hoping for open skies and clear views—let’s make the most of the rare chance to see the wonders of the universe, even if only for a few minutes.”
Fans of the field should not miss the chance to head outside equipped with binoculars or cameras for the cruise of celestial bodies across the night sky, noting the celestial marvels awaiting to be admired.