Overview
- Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will cluster along the ecliptic in the evening sky, creating a compact arc visible from many locations on Earth.
- Observers cite Feb. 28 as a prime reference date for a tight grouping, with March 1 often the most favorable evening for Central Europe, though the display spans several nights.
- Plan to observe roughly 30–60 minutes after sunset, as the low western planets set quickly and the approaching full Moon on March 3 further reduces contrast each evening.
- Venus will outshine all but the Moon, Jupiter will be easy to spot, Saturn will appear faintly, and Mercury will hug the low western horizon for a short time after dusk.
- Uranus and Neptune generally require binoculars or a telescope; look west to southwest for Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Neptune, find Uranus higher in the southwest, and use the Moon near Jupiter on Feb. 26–27 as a guide.