Overview
- Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will gather in the post-sunset sky through late February, with NASA highlighting February 28 as the top opportunity to catch all six.
- Observers should look toward the western horizon about an hour after sunset, while bright Jupiter will be easier to spot higher in the eastern sky.
- Venus and Mercury sit very low with a short viewing window after sunset, Uranus typically requires binoculars, and Neptune needs a telescope.
- Clear weather, low light pollution, and an unobstructed western horizon significantly improve the chances of seeing the full lineup.
- Astronomers describe the scene as a parade along the ecliptic rather than a strict alignment, and Mars is not included this year as related sky events follow on February 17 and March 3.