Top 5 tips to make sure you see the rare planetary parade tomorrow evening

Top 5 tips to make sure you see the rare planetary parade tomorrow evening

Keen Stargazer are treated with a spectacular representation in the night sky.

Stargazing enthusiasts should remain vigilant this week because an incredible planetary parade brightens the night sky, with seven planets to come together for a spectacular heavenly display.

The best thing about it? You don't have to stay awake all night to see it. Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury and Saturn will be most visible tomorrow (Friday, February 28th) between sunset and 6.30 p.m.

It is expected that all seven planets will be aligned in such a breathtaking way until 2040. So make a memory of catching this unforgettable cosmic event.

We spoke to experienced astronomers who have built the science behind this rare orientation and shared some top tips to help them optimally use this magical planetary parade.

This is a photo of mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in a planetary parade. See Pa feature life planet. Pa photo. Photo credits

What is a planetary parade?

“A planetary parade is a moment when several planets are visible in the sky,” says Dr. Greg Brown, astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich. “How impressive a parade is depends on how many planets are in it and how visible they are.”

This week all seven planets are suddenly technically visible, although they are not all equally easy to recognize.

“Mercury, Neptune and Saturn are all very close to the horizon in the early evening and will have difficulty being seen at dusk in the case of Neptune and Saturn,” notes Brown. “In addition, Uranus like Neptune is very weak, which makes it almost impossible without finding binoculars or a telescope.

“However, Venus, Jupiter and Mars are all very easy to see with the undivided eye.”

How often is it?

“Groups of three, four or even five visible planets that are visible are not unusual and occur regularly every year,” says Brown. “But the more planets are involved, the more things have to be aligned in such a way that they are visible at the same time. This makes full parades with seven planets quite rare.”

Why does that happen?

“Planetary orientations occur because the planets in our solar system circle the sun in approximately the same level, which is called an ecliptic level,” explains Dr. Shyam Balaji, researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King's College London. “While they circle with different speeds and distances from the sun, there are moments when they seem to be pending from the perspective of the earth.”

When will the best time to recognize it?

“The orientation is expected to be visible from February 23 to February 28, 2025,” says Balaji. “But the top observation option is on February 28 shortly after sunset when the planets are positioned above the western horizon.”

Will the weather influence this?

“The night must measure itself from clouds over large parts of the sky to recognize all planets,” says Brown. “If you look through a telescope or binoculars, it also helps when the night is quiet and there is little wind on the way, since this functions on the planets such as the ligaments on Jupiter or the bars of Mars is much easier to see.”

Here are some tips to maximize your chances of seeing this miraculous heavenly event …

This is a photo of a boy who looks through a telescope. Photo credits should be: Alamy/Pa.

1. Find a location away from urban lights

“The lower the light pollution, the easier it is to see weak objects in the night sky so that it will be a plus to be in the country,” says Brown.

2. Consider binoculars or a small telescope

“Finding Mars, Jupiter and Venus is not a problem at all, shortly after sunset visible to the undivided eye, but finding one of the others will probably require a binoculars or a telescope,” emphasizes Brown.

3. Wait until the sun goes down

“If you are looking for Saturn, Neptune or mercury with a telescope or binocular, wait for the sun to be used to avoid it,” advises Brown. “But as soon as it has set itself, they don't hang around, since all three disappear under the horizon very soon after sunset.”

4. Use a smartphone adapter

“Look at a smartphone adapter for your telescope, with which you can see a picture of exactly what you would see with your eye if you look into the eyepiece,” suggests Brown.

5. Search for moon shapes

“Try a telescope after the moons of the Jupiter or the shape of the illuminated part of the surface of Venus – like a small crescent moon,” recommends Brown.