Parade of the Planets 2025: When, Where and How to Watch the Rare February Alignment of Six Planets

Six planets grace the sky this month in what’s known as a planetary parade, and most of them can be seen with the naked eye. These planetary gatherings occur when multiple planets line up in the night sky at the same time. “They’re not in a straight line, but they’re pretty close together on one side of the sun,” said Hannah Sparks, director of the planetarium at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Florida.

When and where to hold a planetary parade

An astronomical conjunction is quite common and can occur at least every year depending on the number of planets. A similar parade took place in June last year, but only two planets could be seen without special equipment. Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are visible to the naked eye this month and part of February. Uranus and Neptune can be seen through binoculars and telescopes.

During this last spectacle, Mars shines especially brightly because it is directly opposite the sun. And on the night of Friday and Saturday, observers will see that Venus and Saturn are huddled very close – just two degrees from each other. Any clear, cloudless night this month is perfect for spotting planets. To catch an observation, go outside on a clear night a few hours after sunset and look south, said Kevin Williams, director of the Buffalo State University Planetarium.

Bonus planet and farewell to spring

Venus and Saturn will shine in the southwest sky, Jupiter in the southern sky, and Mars in the southeast or east. The planets will shine brighter than the stars, and Mars will appear as a reddish-orange dot. Consider downloading stargazing apps to learn where to look, Sparks said.

Weak Mercury should join the parade as a bonus seventh planet at the end of February, and the planets will slowly leave in the spring. “It gives us a little better sense of our place in the solar system and the universe,” Williams said.