Stargazers around the globe are preparing for an extraordinary celestial event on February 28, 2025, as seven planets join together for what is being dubbed the "planetary parade." This rare alignment, involving Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, will kick off shortly after sunset, offering astronomy enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike the chance to witness this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
According to NASA, such alignments become significant when multiple planets gather closely on one side of the sun. Although planetary alignments can occur with three or more planets, the upcoming spectacle is especially notable: it will not happen again until the year 2492.
Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist and science educator at the American Museum of Natural History, explained the nature of this rare event. "If you were to take your finger and point at any planet, it's not like they all fall on a straight line," she said, highlighting the fact they orbit the sun on varied paths. "They're on the same racetrack, so you can see them at night." She emphasized the uniqueness of the sight, noting, "They do appear across the sky in kind of a line, but it’s more of a gathering than strict alignment."
Throughout the evening, the best viewing conditions will occur right at sunset. The planets will be visible after 7:45 PM, with optimal observation around 11:30 PM when they will be higher in the sky. The five brightest planets, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, will be easily seen with the naked eye, whereas Uranus and Neptune will demand some high-tech assistance, such as telescopes or binoculars, to spot.
The planets will form an arc across the sky, beginning from the eastern horizon and traveling southeast. This planetary lineup has gained considerable attention, with many enthusiasts taking to social media to share their excitement and invite others to partake. Areas particularly well-suited for viewing include cities with less light pollution and clear skies—specifically regions south and east of major cities like New York.
Residents from various locales are likely to have unique experiences, with the planetary parade being slightly more prominent at different times. For those situated in New York, the best chance for viewing is shortly after sunset with expectations pointing upwards toward the western sky. Faherty suggested, "The key is to see where the sun is setting; that's your bullseye. "This timing will maximize visibility for most of the planets, making it possible to spot them all during the celestial event.
Status updates on the alignment's visibility have been widely circulated by various agencies, with some claiming Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will easily catch attention as they shine bright at night. "Then, you're going to see Jupiter and Mars, and that's going to help you identify the racetrack. Once you've got those, you need to look for Mercury and Saturn at sunset," Faherty added.
Beyond the excitement surrounding this planetary gathering, stargazers can also look forward to additional celestial events later this year, including another planetary alignment set for August 2025. Faherty explained, "Planetary gatherings like this happen every few years, and they’re not as rare as people might think." Nevertheless, this upcoming parade is still unique enough to generate significant excitement and, undeniably, elicit awe among those lucky enough to witness it.
Following the planetary alignment, avid astronomy lovers will be gearing up for another phenomenal event—a total lunar eclipse slated for March 13 and 14, 2025, continuing the trend of remarkable celestial observations. Stargazers are encouraged to take full advantage of these spectacular opportunities to engage with the wonders of the universe.
Indeed, this month’s planetary alignment will shine brightly for many nights, marking the conclusion of February with the enchanting sight of our closest celestial neighbors aligning just for our viewing pleasure. Remember—if you miss this chance, you'll not see another similar event until the futuristic year of 2492!