A planetary parade is coming soon! Get ready to spot six of our neighboring planets in the night sky. On Saturday, February 28, if the skies are clear and you have a good view toward the west, you might see Venus and Mercury close to Saturn. Neptune, Uranus, and Jupiter will also join the show, as noted by NASA.
The window for viewing will be brief. After sunset, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune will appear for about 45 minutes. You’ll need to be quick! Venus and Mercury will be near the horizon, while Saturn will be positioned higher up. If you have a pair of binoculars, they might enhance your experience. Neptune will be right next to Saturn, but spotting it may require a 6-inch telescope or larger, mostly in good lighting conditions.
Don’t miss Jupiter, too! High in the constellation Gemini, it should stand out brightly against the background. Look for the three stars of Orion’s Belt to guide you between the planets and Jupiter. Unlike twinkling stars, Jupiter will glow steadily.
Now, let’s talk about Uranus, another significant planet you can see. For the best view, binoculars or a small telescope work best. Find Orion’s Belt again, and follow it upward to the Pleiades star cluster, also known as “The Seven Sisters.” Uranus will sit just below this spectacular cluster in the constellation Taurus.
As a special treat, on February 28, a nearly full moon will accompany the planetary parade. This waxing gibbous moon will be near the Beehive Cluster, home to about 1,000 stars and located around 577 light-years from Earth. How cool is that?
But the excitement doesn’t end there. After the planetary parade, a total lunar eclipse awaits us on March 3. Known as the “Worm Moon” eclipse, it’ll cast a reddish hue on the moon for about 58 minutes. The best views will be from the western U.S., Alaska, and parts of the Pacific, New Zealand, and East Asia.
Skywatching continues to capture imaginations. According to a recent survey by the American Astronomical Society, 76% of respondents expressed keen interest in astronomy. This reflects a growing trend of people looking up at the night sky. Whether you’re an avid stargazer or a casual observer, these celestial events offer a beautiful way to connect with the universe.
So grab your binoculars, find a dark spot, and enjoy the wonders of the night sky!
