Six-planet parade: A rare ‘parade’ of six planets to be seen in the night sky this weekend: When and where to watch the celestial alignment | –

This weekend, if the clouds clear, UK skywatchers could be in for a treat. Six planets are said to gather in the evening sky, forming what astronomers call a parade of planets.

Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter will be visible without any equipment, while Uranus and Neptune may need binoculars or a telescope.While viewing the planets, some planets are easy to see with the naked eye, such as Jupiter or Venus, while others, such as Uranus or Neptune, usually require binoculars or a telescope. It is a rare but not impossible event, and often lasts several days or weeks.

Parade of planets 2026How to spot six planets in the evening sky

A planetary display occurs when several planets appear in a line across the sky, from Earth’s perspective.

Experts say it’s not a perfect straight line. “All the planets rotate in the same flat plane,” explains Dr. Becky Smethurst, a research fellow at the Royal Astronomical Society, “like swirling pizza dough above our heads.” They don’t really line up in space. This weekend, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune will sit low near the western horizon. Jupiter will be higher in Gemini, shining brightly, and easy to see even from cities with some light pollution.

Uranus, which is in Taurus, won’t set until around midnight, giving those with binoculars a better chance of catching it.

Parade of the Planets 2026: where and when to watch it

The closest planetary gathering occurs on February 28, although it varies by location. In the UK, Sunday is said to be the best day for viewing. Experts suggest heading to a place with a clear horizon, away from city lights if possible.Planetary marches last longer than one night. Many planets remain visible for weeks.

So, even if you miss the peak day, Mercury and Venus can still be seen close together in early March, with Saturn lingering nearby.

This weekend’s planetary parade: a Skywatcher’s guide

Mercury and Venus

Mercury and Venus shine at magnitudes of -3.8 and 0.3, respectively. This makes it bright, but it’s not always easy. Mercury is highest in the sky from February 19 to 20, while Venus is lowest from then on. By February 28, both planets will balance, though binoculars may help.

Saturn and Neptune

Saturn, now past its best, shines at magnitude 1. It is visible to the naked eye, although it moves slowly toward the sun’s glare.

Neptune, at magnitude 8, would require a small telescope.

Uranus and Jupiter

Uranus will hang beneath the open Pleiades cluster (M45) on February 28. It shines at a magnitude of 5.7, and binoculars may be enough to spot it. Jupiter, after its opposition, glows at a magnitude of -2.3. This makes it by far the easiest planet to see.

Moon and star constellations

The 92% illuminated gibbous moon rises high in the eastern sky, below Jupiter. Observers using binoculars can also spot the Beehive Cluster (M44), one of the brightest star clusters, just below.

What is a planetary parade?

A planetary parade is a term used by astronomers to describe the moment when several planets appear aligned in the sky from Earth’s perspective. This does not mean that the planets actually lie in a straight line in space, but they still orbit the Sun at different distances.These paths occur because all planets orbit in roughly the same flat plane around the Sun, which is called the ecliptic plane. Sometimes, from our perspective, several planets end up on the same side of the solar system, so they appear to be going together.

Planetary Parade GuideTips for discovering the six planets after sunset

As the BBC reports, check below for tips to get the best offer:

Convenience is almost as important as location. A relaxed viewer is a patient viewer. And patience pays off. The presentation may seem slow, but each planet represents a different world worth admiring.