February's 'rare planetary alignment' peaks this week — here's what to look for in the planet…
Space.com
by Anthony Wood February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
This week marks the peak of a rare planetary alignment known as the "planetary parade," featuring six planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, and Mercury — visible in the evening sky. While this celestial event offers a unique opportunity for stargazers to spot multiple planets at once, visibility depends on preparation, location, and luck with the weather. The alignment is particularly challenging as most of the action occurs low in the western sky, requiring viewers to find a elevated spot with an unobstructed horizon.
For those hoping to catch a glimpse, Mercury and Venus will be visible shortly after sunset but only for about an hour before they disappear below the horizon. Venus will appear close to the setting sun, while Mercury will be slightly above it. Saturn will also be nearby, glowing less than 10 degrees above Venus. Meanwhile, Jupiter will dominate the eastern sky, with the waxing gibbous moon below it, casting its light over the constellation Cancer.
Neptune and Uranus require more effort to spot. Neptune, an ice giant, will be positioned near Saturn but too dim for naked-eye viewing. A telescope with at least 8 inches of aperture is needed to see its tiny blue disk, though its low position on the horizon and proximity to the sun's glare make it a challenging target. Uranus, another ice giant, can be found by locating the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus and sweeping the area below it with a telescope.
This planetary alignment is a rare treat for stargazers, offering a chance to witness multiple planets in one sky event. For those interested in photography, capturing the spectacle requires careful planning and equipment, as the planets will be low on the horizon and near the setting sun. The challenge of spotting these celestial bodies adds to the excitement, making it a memorable experience for astronomy enthusiasts.
Josh Dury, an award-winning night sky
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Originally published on Space.com on 2/26/2026