Get ready for a rare planetary alignment in the early hours of 28 February! Before dawn, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will be visible close together in the eastern sky, providing an amazing sight.
In a few days' time, something truly special will unfold before our eyes, reminding us of the wonders of our Solar System. Shortly before sunrise, we will be able to witness a spectacular cosmic parade as six planets appear one by one in the dark blue sky, forming a beautiful string of pearls. This moment reminds us that we are part of an immense system and vast cosmos.
Venus, often also called the Morning Star, leads the Parade of Planets, shining as a clearly recognisable bright star. Next comes Mars, which has a faint but distinct reddish glow. The first two planets are followed by the gas giants: Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter, the king of the planets, shines as a steady bright light, while nearby Saturn has a softer golden hue. Although you need a telescope to see Saturn's famous rings, you can see the planet itself with the naked eye.
To see the final part of the parade, you will need some optical aids – such as a small telescope or a good pair of binoculars – because the two most distant ice giants, Uranus and Neptune, appear as faint, mysterious spots of light that are difficult to locate without them. Find them with a telescope or binoculars to enjoy the parade in all its glory!
Are the Planets Really Aligned in Space During the Parade?
This is not actually the case, which makes the phenomenon all the more exciting. Looking at the Solar System from above, you can see that each planet moves around the Sun at a different speed and in its own unique orbit. During the Planetary Parade, they are located millions of kilometres apart in space.
The fact that we see them aligned is merely a matter of perspective from Earth. All the planets orbit the Sun on approximately the same plane, known as the ecliptic plane. This is why the planets sometimes appear to be aligned in the sky. This beautiful cosmic illusion occurs when Earth is in exactly the right position to allow us to see other worlds in the Solar System in the same small sector of the sky. In three-dimensional space, it is not a straight line. However, from our two-dimensional view of the cosmos, it appears to form a beautiful arc.
A Beautiful, but Short-Lived, Moment
This beautiful sight only lasts for a short while. As the sun rises above the horizon, it gradually illuminates the entire sky. Then, as the deep colours of dawn intensify, the planets disappear one by one, fading into the blue sky. However, we are left with the memory of this magnificent spectacle, reminding us that the universe is constantly changing and full of wonders waiting to be discovered at just the right moment.
Therefore, set your alarm clock a little earlier on 28 February, head to a place with as little light pollution as possible, where you can see the eastern horizon clearly, and give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. You will soon be rewarded with a wonderful sight that no space enthusiast would want to miss!
Enjoy!
Watch a great overview video about this event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdFxMy2JnSQ.
