Unlock the Secrets: How to Easily Spot February’s 7-Planet Parade – An Astronomer’s Guide

February brings a special surprise for stargazers: a stunning sighting of seven planets! You can spot Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune alongside the bright lights of Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. However, finding all seven might be a bit tricky.

Right after sunset, all seven planets will be visible above the horizon. But be cautious; Mercury and Saturn might be hard to see, especially on Thursday and Friday evenings.

According to Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, “Mercury and Saturn are close to the sun, making them harder to see because of the sun’s glare. However, Mercury will rise a little higher each day. For a better chance to spot them, you’ll need a clear view of the western horizon and possibly some binoculars.”

On the brighter side, Venus and Jupiter are easier to spot due to their brightness. Mars will stand out with its reddish-orange color.

Neptune and Uranus are generally not visible without help, so you’ll likely need a telescope or binoculars to see them.

The reason for this planetary alignment is due to their orbits around the sun. Schmoll explains, “Our planets move in a flat disk around the sun, which looks like a curved line across the sky from our viewpoint on Earth. So when we see multiple planets at once, it can create a beautiful display.”

The planets are usually spread out in the sky, but this February is special. They are all on the same side of the sun, allowing them to line up together as seen from Earth. “This month is unique because they are appearing close together, along just a part of their path,” adds Seth Jacobson, an assistant professor at Michigan State University.

To catch this celestial show, look toward the southern half of the sky. Mercury and Saturn will be low on the western horizon, while Mars and Jupiter will be found toward the southeast. Venus, Uranus, and Neptune will be in between. If you need help, there are apps available that use motion-sensing technology to direct you to the planets’ locations.

If you’re unsure where to look, start with Venus. It will shine the brightest of all and will be visible until mid-March before moving to the morning sky in April.

As the evening twilight ends, look out for the crescent moon, which resembles the Cheshire Cat’s grin from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” This slim crescent will set shortly after appearing, and soon after, Mercury will begin to rise higher in the sky.

Over the weekend, look for a lineup of the crescent moon, Venus, and Mercury in the sky. Curran advises, “Bright Venus will guide your way. Once you find it, look below for the thin crescent moon and Mercury.”

If clouds roll in and block your view, you can catch the action online. The Virtual Telescope Project will stream the planetary parade live, so you won’t miss out on this exciting event.