NEW YORK—In late February, a planetary parade will light up the night sky with the presence of seven planets, although some may be challenging to see without aid.
During a planetary parade, multiple planets seem to align in the sky, appearing close together on one side of the sun, creating a spectacular celestial event.
These cosmic gatherings are relatively common and occur at least once a year, depending on the number of planets involved. According to NASA, a parade of four or five planets visible to the naked eye happens every few years.
A similar event occurred last June, with only two planets visible without special equipment. In January, six planets were visible, with four seen without aid, and now, Mercury joins the planetary lineup.
This month, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter can be seen without aid, while Saturn and Mercury are closer to the horizon, making them more challenging to spot. Uranus and Neptune are visible with the help of binoculars or telescopes.
To catch a glimpse of this planetary spectacle, step outside on a clear, cloudless night after sunset. The planets will shine brighter than the stars, with Mars appearing as a reddish-orange dot. For assistance in locating the planets, stargazing apps can be useful.
As spring progresses, the planets will gradually fade from view, so be sure to take advantage of this unique celestial display while it lasts.
By Adithi Ramakrishnan
