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Stargazers of Arizona, keep your eyes skyward on early Saturday evening for a cosmic spectacle.
A rare six-planet alignment will occur on Feb. 28 as Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune gather in a loose formation overhead. Astronomers call it a “planet parade,” and it’s one of the more striking celestial sights of the year.
Most of the planets will be visible to the naked eye, with Venus and Jupiter shining brightest. Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a small telescope, especially from darker desert vantage points.
Six planets visible at once is a notable occurrence. Here’s when and where to see the planet parade in Arizona.
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What is a planet parade?
A planetary parade is a rare astronomical event where multiple planets in the solar system align in the skies. The phenomenon occurs when two or more planets form a loose arc, appearing as though their aligned.
Is a planetary alignment rare?
Planetary alignments occur several times a year, but a six-planet alignment is much rarer. The more planets that cluster together in the sky, the less often it occurs. A three-planet alignment happens once or twice a year. A seven-planet alignment occurs every 10 or 20 years.
What planets are aligning on February 28?
The February 28 planet alignment features six planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune.
What time is the planetary alignment on February 28?
The February 28 planet alignment begins just after sunset in Arizona. Sunset is at 6:22 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, making the early evening the best time to look for the planet parade.
Where should you look for the planetary alignment?
The planets will appear in the western sky. A clear, unobstructed view of the horizon is best, since several of the planets will sit lower in the sky. For optimal views, head away from city lights and find a darker spot with wide-open vistas.
Is there a skywatching app to spot planets?
Yes. Apps like Star Walk let you point your phone at the sky to identify planets and other celestial objects in real time.
Are the planets actually aligned?
No, the planets are not perfectly aligned in a straight line in space. From Earth, they appear lined up because they cluster along the ecliptic, the path the sun follows across the sky, creating the illusion of a planetary alignment from our perspective.
