All the planets in our solar system are aligning in the night sky this February.

On August 12, 2009, people gaze at the sky from an observatory near the village of Avren, Bulgaria. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov, File)

By  BELINDA FOSTER

Updated 10:11 PM EST, February 25, 2025

NEW YORK (NB360) — At the end of February, seven planets will be visible in the sky in what is called a planetary parade, although some may be hard to see with the naked eye.

These planetary gatherings occur when several planets appear to align in the night sky simultaneously. They are not in a straight line but are clustered together on one side of the sun.

This astronomical event is quite common and can occur at least annually depending on the number of planets. According to NASA, a parade of four or five planets visible to the naked eye takes place every few years.

A similar event happened last June, but only two planets were visible without special equipment. In January, six planets were visible — four to the naked eye — and now a faint Mercury joins the group.

This month, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter can be seen with the naked eye. A dim Saturn and Mercury are near the horizon, making them difficult to spot. Uranus and Neptune can be seen with binoculars and telescopes.

To catch the sight, go outside on a clear, cloudless night after sunset. The planets will appear brighter than the stars, and Mars will appear as a reddish-orange dot. Stargazing apps might assist in locating them.

The planets will gradually disappear as spring approaches.

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