It’s almost time to witness an incredibly rare planetary parade, where all seven other planets in our solar system will be visible in Earth’s skies at the same time.
What Is a Planetary Parade?
Seeing planets in the night sky isn’t unusual—on most nights, at least one or two are visible.
But this week is special because all seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will be visible at once.
This rare cosmic event won’t happen again until 2040, so it’s worth making the effort to see it!
Why Is a Planetary Parade So Rare?
The planets in our solar system orbit the Sun at different speeds due to their varying distances from it. For example:
- Earth orbits the Sun in 365 days (1 year).
- Mars takes 687 days.
- Neptune, the farthest planet, takes 60,190 days (about 165 years)!
Because of these differences, it’s extremely rare for all the planets to align in Earth’s sky at the same time.
When Is the 2025 Planetary Parade?
The planetary parade happens on February 28, 2025—this Friday!
If the skies are clear where you are, look up and you’ll be able to see:
- Mars in the east
- Jupiter and Uranus in the southeast
- Venus, Neptune, and Saturn in the west
- Mercury, the last to appear, joining the lineup later that night
Do I Need a Telescope?
Not every planet will be visible to the naked eye. To see them all, you’ll need some binoculars or a telescope.
- Planets visible without equipment: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
- Planets requiring binoculars or a telescope: Uranus and Neptune.
Can I See It From a City?
Even if you’re in a light-polluted area, you’ll still be able to see most of the planets.
But for the best experience, it’s recommended to find a darker location away from city lights.
Can I See Some Planets Before Friday?
Yes! Six of the seven planets are already visible—only Mercury is missing, but it will appear on Friday night.
Dr. Christopher Barnes, a senior lecturer at the University of Derby, told The Independent:
“Mars will appear in the east, Jupiter and Uranus in the southeast, and Venus, Neptune, and Saturn in the west. Even people in cities and light-polluted areas will be able to see most of the planets, but for the best views, it is advisable to find a darker location. Almost all the planets will be visible to the naked eye, except for Uranus and Neptune, which will require binoculars or a telescope.”
Don’t Miss This Once-in-a-Lifetime Event!
This planetary parade is a must-see cosmic event.
Mark your calendar for February 28, and hope for clear skies to enjoy this rare celestial show!