6 Planets to Align in Night Sky in Late February

Rare planetary parade will be visible to the naked eye in the western sky.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Six planets - Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - will align in the night sky at the end of February 2026, with most of them visible to the naked eye. This rare celestial event, known as a "planetary parade," occurs when multiple planets appear to line up on one side of the sun.

Why it matters

Planetary parades are uncommon events that allow amateur stargazers a chance to see multiple planets at once with the naked eye. This particular alignment will be the second time in as many years that six or more planets have been visible in the night sky, providing a unique opportunity for the public to connect with the wonders of the solar system.

The details

On Saturday, February 28th, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be easily visible in the western sky about an hour after sunset, while Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or telescopes to spot. The planets will appear clustered together, though not in a straight line. Skygazers are advised to venture away from tall buildings and trees that could obstruct the view.

  • The planetary parade will be visible over the weekend of February 28-March 1, 2026.
  • Mercury will eventually dip below the horizon and drop out of the alignment in the days after the initial sighting.

The players

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the leading government agency for space exploration and astronomy.

Sara Mazrouei

A planetary scientist at Humber Polytechnic in Canada who provided expert commentary on identifying planets versus stars in the night sky.

Emily Elizondo

A planetary scientist at Michigan State University who discussed the historical significance of amateur astronomers observing planetary alignments.

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What they’re saying

“If it's twinkling, it's a star. If it is not twinkling, it's a planet.”

— Sara Mazrouei, Planetary Scientist

“Glimpsing many in the sky at once is a fun way to connect with astronomers of centuries' past.”

— Emily Elizondo, Planetary Scientist

What’s next

Stargazers are encouraged to take advantage of the clear skies and catch the planetary parade over the last weekend of February 2026.

The takeaway

This rare celestial event provides an opportunity for amateur astronomers and the general public to appreciate the wonders of our solar system and connect with the long history of skywatching, even in our modern age of advanced technology.