On the evening of February 28, 2025, skywatchers will be treated to a spectacular celestial event: seven planets will align, marking the last occurrence of its kind until 2040. This so-called "planetary parade" will see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune gracing the night sky, creating a visual feast for those lucky enough to witness it.
Stargazers can expect the planets to be visible just after sunset. Dr. Christopher Barnes, a senior lecturer at the University of Derby, detailed how the planetary alignment will appear: "Mars will appear in the east, Jupiter and Uranus in the southeast, and Venus, Neptune, and Saturn in the west," he reported. While the brighter planets will be easily visible to the naked eye, the fainter Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or telescopes to catch sight of.
This planetary parade is particularly noteworthy, as alignments involving seven planets are exceptionally rare. Although alignments of four or five planets happen fairly regularly, achieving six or seven together is something to marvel at. The next opportunity to witness such a grand event won’t take place for 15 years, making this February's alignment even more special.
While six of the planets have been visible since January 2025, with Mercury joining the lineup just days before the event, it's important for viewers to know how to maximize their chances of seeing all seven worlds aligned. For those living in cities plagued by light pollution, seeking out darker locations will offer the best viewing experience. “Even people in cities and light-polluted areas will be able to see most of the planets, but for the best views, it is advised to find a darker location,” Dr. Barnes emphasized.
Timing is also key, with the ideal viewing moment projected to be at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time on the night of February 28. Observers should set out shortly after sunset to catch the planets before they vanish from view. This brief window of visibility only lasts until Saturn and Mercury dip below the horizon, which can complicate efforts to sight these planets, particularly since Neptune is often obscured by the dusk sky.
Josh Dury, a renowned astrophotographer, captured stunning imagery of the planets during previous alignments, sharing insights about the difficulty of photographing dimmer planets. “It is made of nine images, capturing Saturn, Mercury, and Neptune. They were very tricky to spot,” Dury explained. His expert advice includes using advanced techniques with exposure settings to get the best results when capturing this planetary event.
Planetary conjunctions, like this one, happen because the planets orbit the sun along roughly the same plane, which results in their alignment from Earth's point of view. Although such alignments are fascinating, it’s notable to mention how infrequently all planets gather together, giving even more reasons for skywatching enthusiasts to be excited about the upcoming display.
For those eager to observe the alignment, specialized tools like telescopes, binoculars, or apps to chart the planets' locations may prove helpful. Prof. David Armstrong from the University of Warwick reiterated the necessity of equipment for certain planets, noting, “With high-powered binoculars or a telescope, you might be able to see Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings.”
He added, “This ‘great planetary alignment’ won’t happen again until 2040, as it needs all the planets to be on the same side of the Sun.” To prepare, stargazers are encouraged to arrive at their chosen observation spot at least 15 to 30 minutes early, allowing their eyes to adjust to the darkness, optimizing their viewing experience of this rare alignment.
Weather conditions will be another factor influencing visibility on the night of February 28. Forecasts suggest high pressure will keep the majority of skies clear, but areas, particularly northwestern Scotland, may experience clouds and rain, which could hinder visibility for some. Yet, with time still left for the event, adjustments to predictions are always possible.
To sum up, mark your calendars for this rare celestial show on February 28, 2025. Whether you’re equipped with binoculars or just your eyes, don’t miss your chance to witness this stunning cosmic phenomenon!