How to view the 'planet parade' as seven planets align in the night sky 🪐

It's the last time until 2040

Planets align

Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 26th Feb 2025
Last updated 26th Feb 2025

It was just last month that stargazers were treated with a planet parade of six planets, and now a month later, astronomers will get another chance to see SEVEN planets align in the night's sky.

In total four of the planets (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Mars) will be visible to the naked eye, while Saturn will be close to the horizon, and Uranus and Neptune will need binoculars or a telescope.

If you aren't sure what to look for, or where to look in the sky then read on...

When does the planetary alignment take place?

The planets will all be visible just after sunset on Tuesday 25th February, Wednesday 26th February, Thursday 27th February and Friday 28th February.

Which planets will align?

There are seven planets in total, four will be easily visible with the naked eye - Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Mars. Our planetary neighbour Venus and the largest planet in the Solar System, Jupiter, will easily visible as bright white points of light, while Mars will appear as an orange dot. The ringed giant Saturn, will also be visible with the naked eye, but likely obscured, as it is close to the horizon.

Uranus and Neptune will also be visible, but only with the use of a telescope or binoculars.

Where to look for the planets?

The planets will be dotted throughout the night sky in the evening this week (24th February - 28th February). As with any astronomical observations you should allow your eyes to adjust to the night sky for at least 15 minutes, and make sure you are away from any lights, where possible, using red light if you need it.

The planets will be visible across the sky if you look in the south/south-west. Mars will be the most easterly planet, with Jupiter due south, and Saturn close to the south-west horizon.

What is a planetary alignment?

A planetary alignment is when three or more planets are visible in the sky at the same time.

What is the difference between a planet and a star?

There are a lot of differences between a planet and star, however the main difference is that a planet does not give off light, it reflects light from another source, in the case of planets in our Solar System, this is the Sun.

Planets are also much smaller than a star.

How can you tell the difference between a planet and a star in the sky?

Planets do not twinkle in the sky, while stars will and according to astronomer Jason Kendall, you can tell the difference between the two by holding your thumb at arm's length.

As the astronomer explains in the video below, if you move your thumb across the point on light, if it dims when your pass the light it will be a planet, whereas if it immediately blinks out it will be a star.

We are a little way off our next major meteor shower, but you can still use many of these tips for viewing the planets on the 21st January.

Tips for viewing a meteor shower:

1. Dark sky

You might not realise how much light pollution there is in your neighbourhood, find out more about light pollution and where you can find a really dark sky here.
Allow your eyes 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Don't forget that the moon can also interfere so try to avoid times when it is visible.

2. Date and time

To increase your chances of seeing some meteors make sure you find out the best time to look for them. Often it is when the sky is at its darkest (in the middle of the night), or if there is a meteor shower, when the radiant (where the meteors come from - the constellation Leo) is high in the sky.

3. Look in the right area

It sounds obvious, but the sky is a very large area and meteors are very fast! Make sure you know which area of the sky you should be looking in. The Perseids come from Perseus, the easiest way to find it would be to use a free sky map app on your phone.

4. Good weather

Again, it seems obvious, but there's no point in standing in the cold when it's cloudy. Check the weather forecast before going outside, and if it's going to be clear later on then wait until then if you can.

5. Don't use a telescope or binoculars

Using a telescope or binoculars will DECREASE your chances of seeing a meteor. Meteors are so quick that you are likely to miss them if you don't use the naked eye. Save your telescope or binoculars for the moon or planets.