Parade of planets: How not to miss unique event that will repeat only in 2040
How to see the parade of planets on February 28 (photo: Getty Images)
On the last day of winter, Europeans will be able to see a unique and rare astronomical phenomenon - a great parade of planets. Such a parade of planets is very rare, sometimes even once every 100 years.
When the parade of planets starts
On February 28, seven planets of the Solar System - Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars - will be visible in the sky at the same time. Scientists call such a parade a great planetary phenomenon, as such a number of planets appear simultaneously very rarely.
At the beginning of 2025, humanity had the opportunity to see another great parade of planets - on January 21, Mars, Uranus, Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, and Saturn stood in a row.
According to scientists, small parades consisting of 3 or 4 planets are not uncommon, and the more planets there are, the rarer they are, and 7 planets at the same time is the rarest option.
By the way, in reality, the planets are not lined up in a single row, but from the Earth, this is the impression that is created. The planets are in a line because all the planets in the solar system orbit the Sun in an ecliptic.
Some have orbits above or below the ecliptic, but they are more or less on the same level. But sometimes they find themselves on the same side of the Sun, moving along their orbits, and it is during this period that it seems from the Earth that they are all in a row.
How to watch the parade of planets
The best time to observe the planets is after sunset on the evening of February 28. It is advisable to do this away from city lights, where there are no other light sources. For example, in the suburbs or in an open area with a good view of the horizon.
The parade of planets will be visible only if the sky is clear - remember that. Almost all the planets will be visible to the naked eye, but you will need binoculars or a telescope to see Neptune and Uranus. It will be easy to distinguish the planets from the stars - they do not flicker but reflect the light of the Sun evenly.
On the morning of February 28, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus will be in the eastern part of the sky, while Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn will be in the southwest.
A unique parade of planets will be visible after sunset on February 28 (screenshot)
What the planets look like
Venus is bright, it is always visible better than other planets
Jupiter - the second brightest planet
Mars - will have a characteristic red hue
Saturn and Mercury - will appear shortly after sunset
Uranus and Neptune - will be too dim to see with the naked eye
What else is worth knowing
- The parade of planets will last until March 15
- Mercury and Venus will disappear in mid-March
- Saturn and Neptune will leave the parade in April
- In early March, the visibility of the planets will gradually decrease
- The next parade of planets is expected in 2040 - 15 years from now
- And it will be possible to see 7 planets simultaneously only in 2161
Sources: NASA, Sky News, Science alert, Live Science.
