Six Planets to Align in Wisconsin Sky This Weekend

Rare 'planet parade' will be visible to the naked eye on February 28th.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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On Saturday, February 28th, six planets - Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter - will align in the night sky, with four of them visible to the naked eye. This rare 'planet parade' will be visible in Wisconsin shortly after sunset, though cloudy conditions and a bright moon may make it difficult to see in the Milwaukee area.

Why it matters

Planetary alignments where multiple planets are visible to the naked eye are uncommon, occurring only every few years. This event provides a unique opportunity for stargazers and amateur astronomers in Wisconsin to observe the solar system's planets.

The details

The planets will appear in a line along the ecliptic, the imaginary line in the sky that the planets appear to follow. While all six planets will be present, only Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter will be bright enough to see without a telescope or binoculars. The best viewing time will be 30 minutes to an hour after sunset, when the planets will be visible low on the western horizon.

  • The planet parade will occur on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • The planets will be visible for about 30 minutes to 1 hour after sunset on February 28th.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics, and space research.

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What they’re saying

“While the term 'planetary alignment' can mean different things, in this case it refers to the planets appearing close enough together along the ecliptic that multiple are visible to the naked eye.”

— NASA (NASA's 'Watch the Skies' blog)

What’s next

Stargazers in Wisconsin should keep an eye on the weather forecast for February 28th and try to find a location with an unobstructed view of the western horizon to maximize their chances of seeing the rare planet parade.

The takeaway

This planetary alignment is a unique celestial event that provides an opportunity for Wisconsinites to observe the planets in our solar system with the naked eye. While cloudy conditions may hinder visibility in some areas, clear skies will allow for a remarkable sight that is not often seen.