Skygazers, mark your calendars as a result of one of many coolest celestial occasions is coming round once more towards the top of February. Six planets will likely be seen within the evening sky on the similar time for a few weeks. This phenomenon is called a planet parade, and it occurs only some instances a yr.Â
Do not miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based opinions. Add CNET as a most well-liked Google supply.
This specific planet parade will embrace Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. It is only one planet shy of the total set, a phenomenon that’s fairly uncommon and most recently happened in February 2025. Additionally, you will want a telescope to see every thing, particularly since a lot of it can happen proper at nightfall, which is able to make just a few of the planets tougher to see.Â
When will the planet parade occur?
The Northern Hemisphere will get its finest glimpse on the planet parade proper round sundown over the past week of February. This one will likely be significantly difficult for skywatchers as a result of recognizing planets with the solar even partially up is far more tough as a result of gentle air pollution. Your finest wager is round 6:45 p.m. native time, and your window will likely be exceedingly quick. Mercury and Venus drop under the horizon roughly 30 to 45 minutes later, in order that’s on a regular basis you will have.Â
The excellent news is that Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Neptune are all clustered collectively towards the western horizon close to the setting solar. Venus and Mercury will likely be proper subsequent to one another, and Saturn and Neptune will likely be clumped collectively close by. That ought to make the 4 of them slightly bit simpler to identify, which is a boon for skygazers given the quick window.Â
Jupiter and Uranus would be the best to identify and can stay within the sky lengthy after the opposite 4 planets have dipped under the horizon. Uranus will journey throughout the southern sky alongside the Taurus constellation earlier than dropping under the western horizon just a few hours after midnight. Jupiter will observe a really comparable path to Uranus, however is hanging out with the Gemini constellation.
All advised, the very best dates to view the planet parade within the US, Canada and Mexico are Feb. 21 to twenty-eight. Earlier than Feb. 21, Venus and Mercury will likely be too near the solar. As soon as March begins, Mercury will drift nearer to the solar once more, dipping under the horizon earlier than it is readily seen. As soon as that occurs, the five-planet parade will proceed for about one other week or so earlier than Neptune and Saturn dip under the horizon, thus ending the parade and leaving solely Venus, Jupiter and Uranus seen within the sky.Â
Will the planet parade be seen in my area?
Sure. We checked Stellarium’s sky map from a number of places throughout the US, Mexico and Canada, and the planet parade was seen in each place we checked. In response to Star Walk, the parade will likely be seen all over the place from Tokyo to London. We additionally checked the Southern Hemisphere, and it will be seen there as properly. The dates fluctuate based mostly on location, however most locations ought to be capable of see it sooner or later between Feb. 21 and Feb. 28.Â
How can I discover the assorted planets within the sky?
The picture above offers you a basic concept of the place they’re going to be in relation to 1 one other, however the very best factor to do is take a look at a sky map and plan forward. We suggest Stellarium’s sky map if you happen to’re on a desktop and Stellarium Cellular (Android and iOS) if you happen to’re utilizing your phone.
We suggest discovering Venus first as a result of it is the best planet to identify out of the 4 which are close to the solar. You’ll be able to then use the app to search out the opposite three. Jupiter and Uranus are all by themselves within the evening sky and will likely be there after the opposite 4 dip under the horizon, so we suggest discovering these final since they’re going to be round longer.Â
Will I want any particular tools to view the parade?
Sure. With 4 of the planets near the solar, it can make them laborious to identify with the bare eye, because of the sunshine air pollution. Uranus and Neptune are unattainable to see and not using a magnification system of some type, even in whole darkness. A telescope is extremely really helpful. Astronomers suggest a minimal of an 8-inch aperture and 50 instances magnification to get the very best outcomes. That’s sturdy sufficient to see the rings of Uranus and Saturn. You want a telescope with roughly 150 instances magnification to peep the rings on Neptune.Â
The same old area viewing ideas additionally apply. Get away from town to a spot with as little gentle air pollution as potential, because you’re already preventing the solar to see these items. And be very cautious to not level your telescope on the solar, since that may injury your eyes. Attempt to decide an evening with as little cloud cowl as potential.Â
The primary of three planet parades in 2026
Planet parades are unusual, however generally the universe smiles on Earth. This yr goes to be actually good for planet parades, as three are anticipated in 2026. February is the primary one. The opposite two are slated for April (5 planets) and August (six planets). Meaning there are two extra probabilities to look at a planet parade in 2026 if you need to miss the one in February.
