Rare Planetary Parade: 7 Planets to Align Next Week—When & Where to Watch in India

New Delhi: A rare celestial event will take place on February 28 this year, when all seven planets in our solar system will line up and be briefly visible in the night sky. This spectacular sight will not happen again until 2040 and marks the end of a planetary parade that started last month.

The planets that will align include Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 

According to NASA, events where four or more planets align are rare and do not occur every year.  What makes this event special is the high number of bright planets visible at the same time, making it a special moment for skywatchers.

What is a Planetary Parade?

As per Space.com, the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun along an imaginary plane called the ecliptic. This means they always appear somewhere along a single line in the sky when viewed from Earth. These alignments are commonly referred to as planetary parades, although NASA clarified that the term is not an official astronomical definition.

When and How to See This Rare Event?

The best time to witness the planetary alignment was 45 minutes after sunset. The four brightest planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus—were visible to the naked eye, while Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune required a telescope or binoculars for viewing.

According to the BBC, Venus was spotted in the western sky after sunset, while Mars appeared high in the south and remained visible through early March 2025. Jupiter was visible in the southwest, and Uranus required dark skies and sharp eyesight to be spotted near the Pleiades star cluster.

However, some planets were more challenging to see:

• Saturn, which was easily observable earlier in the year, was almost unviable by late February, as it sat too close to the Sun.
• Neptune always required binoculars or a telescope to be visible.
• Mercury, the seventh planet in the lineup, was visible for a short period in the west-southwest horizon after sunset but needed a clear horizon for proper observation.

Visibility in India

The planetary parade was visible across India, with Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus easily seen with the naked eye. However, Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune required a telescope or binoculars due to their faint appearance.

How to View the Planetary Parade?

Experts recommended choosing a location away from city lights for minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the horizon. While some planets were visible without any equipment, a telescope or binoculars enhanced the experience, especially for the dimmer planets.

This planetary parade was a once-in-a-lifetime event, offering an unforgettable experience for astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.