Rare Six-Planet Parade to Illuminate the Night Sky on Feb 28, 2026

Skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts have an exciting celestial spectacle to look forward to in 2026, as a rare planetary parade is set to grace the evening sky. On the night of February 28, 2026, six planets — Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — are expected to appear grouped together, tracing a graceful arc across the sky shortly after sunset. Though not aligned in a straight line in space, the planets will appear clustered along the same region of the sky as seen from Earth, creating a visually striking cosmic lineup. Astronomers refer to this phenomenon as a planetary parade because the planets appear arranged along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the sky, which most planetary orbits closely follow. How and When to Watch The best time to observe the planetary parade will be about an hour after sunset, once the sky becomes sufficiently dark. Four planets — Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn — will be bright enough to spot with the naked eye under clear conditions. However, Uranus and Neptune are much fainter and will require binoculars or a small telescope to view. These distant planets reflect very little sunlight, making them a rewarding target for dedicated observers. Astronomers clarify that the planets do not physically line up in space like beads on a string. Instead, the effect is caused by their apparent positions as seen from Earth, with all six located on the same side of the Sun at the right time. A Rare Celestial Event Planetary parades involving six planets at once are relatively rare. While smaller groupings of two or three planets occur more often, seeing six planets visible in one part of the sky depends on precise timing and orbital geometry that only align every few years. For students, amateur astronomers and casual stargazers, the event offers a unique chance to observe the diversity of the solar system in a single evening — from rocky inner planets like Mercury and Venus, to gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, and distant ice giants Uranus and Neptune. Skywatchers are advised to choose a location with a clear, unobstructed view of the western horizon and minimal light pollution. Mobile apps such as Star Walk 2 or Sky Map can help identify each planet and enhance the viewing experience.