Last Chance to Witness Planetary Alignment Before 2040: All You Need to Know

A spectacular celestial event is on the horizon as seven planets in our solar system prepare for a rare alignment on February 28. This phenomenon, known as a planetary parade, will be the last such occurrence until 2040, making it a once-in-a-generation opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts.

For a brief moment, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will all be visible in the night sky. While planetary alignments are not uncommon, a seven-planet parade is considered extremely rare, with most alignments typically involving only five or six planets.

What is a Planetary Parade?

A planetary parade happens when multiple planets position themselves on one side of the Sun, appearing close together in the sky. Although they do not align in a perfectly straight line due to their unique orbits, they create a striking celestial display.

NASA explains that planets orbit within the same plane, known as the ecliptic, which allows them to appear in a nearly linear formation from Earth's perspective. This is why, at times, planets seem to approach each other closely as they move through space.

Best Way to View the Planetary Parade

To witness this extraordinary event, stargazers should find a dark location away from city lights. With clear skies, most of the planets will be visible to the naked eye, except Uranus and Neptune, which may require a telescope for better visibility.

The planetary positions in the sky will be:

• Mars in the east
• Jupiter and Uranus in the southeast
• Venus, Neptune, and Saturn in the west

With the Quadrantid meteor shower and a partial planetary parade marking January’s astronomical highlights, February’s rare alignment adds to the excitement for space lovers.