Stargazers are set for a celestial treat as seven planets align to create what’s being dubbed the "planetary parade". This rare astronomical event will grace the night sky from February 25 to February 28, 2025, with the peak visibility occurring just after sunset on the final evening. Observers will see Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all together, marking the last time this magnificent display can be witnessed until 2040.
Four of these planets—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars—can be seen with the naked eye, whereas Saturn, now low on the horizon, will be more challenging to spot. For Uranus and Neptune, stargazers will need binoculars or telescopes for clear views. Local astronomers have advised, "This week multiple planets will be visible in the sky at once. Friday 28th is the special date, with all seven planets other than Earth visible—if the night is clear!" said Dr. David Armstrong, Associate Professor of Physics at Warwick University.
The best times to observe this planetary parade are just after sunset on the evenings of February 25, 26, and 27, with February 28 being the peak day for visibility, particularly for Mercury, which promises to be higher in the sky.
Each planet has its unique characteristics, making them exciting to spot. Venus, known as the "Evening Star," will be especially bright, making it easy to locate shortly after sunset. Mars will exhibit its signature reddish hue, giving it away among the stars, and Jupiter will be visible higher up in the sky and is often followed by eager stargazers.
Joshua Dury, a photographer who recently captured images of this phenomenon, described the experience of photographing the planets, saying, "They were very tricky to spot. I used multiple image analysis and astronomy apps to confirm their location. The alignment of these planets offers all of us both beauty and science on display.”
Visibility will be brief, as Dr. Edward Bloomer, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich warns, “You really only have a few minutes after sunset to catch them before they drop below the horizon. After sunset, you can still see Venus, Jupiter, and Mars clearly for much longer, but Saturn, Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune will vanish quickly, making timing and location incredibly important.”
To maximize viewing conditions, observers should seek areas free from light pollution and provide clear views of the southwestern horizon. Conditions will play a significant role, and predictions from the Met Office indicate potential challenges, especially on February 26, with cloud cover and rain affecting visibility.
Yet hope remains for clear skies on February 28, coinciding with the New Moon, potentially providing optimal conditions for planet spotting. “The sky will be dark enough, providing the ideal backdrop for the planetary parade,” stated the Met Office spokesperson.
The metaphorical line where the planets align is known as the “ecliptic.” All celestial bodies occupy this flat plane, tracing the path the Sun appears to take across the sky. Understanding this will make it easier for stargazers to orient themselves as they search for the planets. Using free night sky apps can aid observations considerably by helping locate planets on their celestial route.
Stargazers should also be prepared for fluctuated weather conditions; forecasts predict clear spells for much of England and Wales, particularly on the evening of February 28, with optimum times for viewing right after sunset. Meanwhile, Scotland and Northern Ireland may experience cloudier weather.
Dr. Shyam Balaji from King's College London noted, "Planetary alignments occur because the planets orbit the Sun within roughly the same plane. It’s not surprising to see multiple planets visible at once but every alignment offers unique viewing experiences depending on their positions and brightness.”
For just this week, enthusiasts across the UK are gearing up, ensuring they have the best possible viewing experience. Local astronomy clubs and online communities are buzzing with anticipation as many aim to share their experiences and images of this cosmic event with interested stargazers everywhere.
Engagement with such celestial events can bridge the gap between astronomical science and everyday life, inspiring interest and curiosity about our universe's workings. So prepare your binoculars, find your dark, clear sky spot, and join the spectacle—a sight not to be missed!