Planets Aligning Tonight: How and when to see 6 planets in a planetary parade

Skywatchers are lining up to catch Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Neptune, Uranus and Mercury in a compact planetary parade, a sequence of encounters that makes planets aligning tonight a challenging but rewarding sight. The arrangement matters now because most of the naked-eye action falls low in the western sky and timing, equipment and weather will decide who actually sees it.

Which planets are in the parade and how they appear

The six bodies involved are Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Neptune, Uranus and Mercury, described in coverage as a "planetary parade" this week. Most of this week's naked-eye planetary action will take place low in the western sky. Mercury will be shining about 10 degrees — roughly the width of your clenched fist held at arm's length — above the late winter skyline, with Venus close to its left and floundering in the glow of the setting sun. Saturn will glow less than 10 degrees to the upper left of Venus, with a distant cousin lurking nearby.

Planets Aligning Tonight: peak viewing notes and timing

For many viewers the critical window is after sunset. Mercury and Venus will follow the sun out of sight roughly an hour after sunset, briefly becoming more visible as the sky darkens and they grow closer to the horizon. Jupiter will shine high in the eastern sky, with the waxing gibbous moon below, its reflected light obscuring the stars of the constellation Cancer. To make the most of the display, stake out a raised location with a clear view of the horizon well ahead of time and remember that planets aligning tonight can be fleeting if you arrive late.

Using a scope: Neptune and Uranus require magnification

Not every planet will be naked-eye easy. Neptune will be positioned about two degrees to the right of Saturn but will be too dim to spot with the unaided eye. Under dark skies, a telescope with an aperture of 8 inches (200 millimeters) or more can reveal Neptune's tiny bluish disk. Its position low on the horizon and close to the glare of our parent star will make it a challenge to spot on the nights surrounding Feb. 28, and the utmost care must be taken to ensure the sun is firmly below the horizon before pointing telescopic equipment in its general direction. Uranus can be found by sweeping your scope across the patch of sky about 5 degrees below the Pleiades open star cluster, to the right of the "V" formation of stars in the constellation Taurus in the hours following sunset.

Practical tips: apps, safety and where to stand

Preparation and equipment matter: be sure to stake out a raised location with a clear view of the horizon, and use a smartphone stargazing app to figure out exactly where the planets will be in your local environment so there's no need to guess. Newcomers to the night sky may want an astronomy app that uses augmented reality to help pinpoint constellations, planets, galaxies and meteor shower radiants. Remember that Mercury and Venus set roughly an hour after sunset, and that Neptune and Uranus will require added magnification under dark skies.

Site notes, photography and reader advisories

We truly hope it doesn't rain on your parade. The coverage around this event is part of a broader set of breaking space news and updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more. Readers are invited to sign up for a monthly entertainment newsletter to keep up with coverage of the latest sci-fi and space movies, TV shows, games and books, and to discover this week's must-see night sky events, moon phases and stunning astrophotos by signing up for a dedicated skywatching newsletter. A Sci‑Fi Reader's Club offers a monthly short story and a virtual community for fans. When you purchase through links on some sites, those sites may earn an affiliate commission. One website has warned readers that an older browser is not supported and advised downloading an updated browser for the best experience. In the field, award-winning night sky photographer Josh Dury grappled with the sheer scope of the scene along with the glow of the setting sun and other challenges to capture images of the parade.