Six planets to parade across night sky in late February

Skygazers can spot up to six planets with the naked eye in a rare celestial event.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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In late February, six planets - Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - will be visible in the night sky in what's known as a planetary parade. This celestial event, where multiple planets appear to line up on one side of the sun, is less common and occurs every few years. Stargazers will be able to spot four of the planets - Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn - with the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or telescopes.

Why it matters

Planetary parades are a rare and exciting celestial event that allow people to connect with the night sky in a way that ancient astronomers did centuries ago. Being able to see multiple planets at once is a unique opportunity to appreciate the grandeur of our solar system.

The details

The planetary parade will be visible starting on February 28th. To see the planets, go outside about an hour after sunset and look to the western sky. Mercury, Venus, and Saturn will be close to the horizon, while Jupiter will be higher up in the sky along with Uranus and Neptune. The planets will be visible over the weekend and in the days after, though eventually Mercury will dip below the horizon.

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

The players

NASA

The U.S. space agency that provided information about the planetary parade and how to spot the planets.

Sara Mazrouei

A planetary scientist with Humber Polytechnic in Canada who explained how to distinguish between stars and planets in the night sky.

Emily Elizondo

A planetary scientist with Michigan State University who discussed the historical significance of being able to observe 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 (nbcboston.com)

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

— Emily Elizondo, Planetary scientist (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

The planetary parade will continue to be visible over the weekend and in the days after February 28th, though Mercury will eventually dip below the horizon.

The takeaway

This rare celestial event allows people to appreciate the grandeur of our solar system and connect with the night sky in the same way ancient astronomers did centuries ago. Stargazers should take advantage of this opportunity to spot up to six planets with the naked eye or through binoculars and telescopes.