Six Planets to Align in Sky for Rare 'Planetary Parade'

Stargazers can spot up to six planets in the evening sky over the coming days.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A spectacular celestial event is happening on February 28, with six planets - Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - aligning in the evening sky. Four of the planets will be visible to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or telescopes to see.

Why it matters

Planetary parades, where multiple planets appear to line up in the sky, are relatively rare events that occur every few years. This is an opportunity for amateur stargazers to connect with the cosmos and observe the movements of our solar system.

The details

The planetary parade will be visible about an hour after sunset, with Mercury, Venus, and Saturn close to the horizon, and Jupiter higher up in the sky along with Uranus and Neptune. To spot the planets, look for objects that are not twinkling, as stars do, but shining steadily.

  • The planetary parade will be visible on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • The optimal viewing time is about an hour after sunset.

The players

NASA

The United States space agency that provides information and guidance on astronomical events.

Sara Mazrouei

A planetary scientist with Humber Polytechnic in Canada who provided tips on how to identify planets in the sky.

Emily Elizondo

A planetary scientist with Michigan State University who commented on the significance of observing multiple planets at once.

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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 (republicworld.com)

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

— Emily Elizondo, Planetary Scientist (republicworld.com)

What’s next

As the days progress, Mercury will eventually dip below the horizon, leaving five planets visible in the evening sky.

The takeaway

This rare planetary parade is a unique opportunity for stargazers to observe the movements of our solar system and connect with the long history of astronomical observation.