Planet Parade 2025, February 28: Time Tonight and Where to Watch 7 Planets Alignment for the First Time

A planetary parade occurs when multiple planets align in the sky, appearing close together from Earth's perspective. 

On February 28, 2025, an extraordinary event will take place: seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will align in the evening sky. This rare spectacle won't happen again until 2040.

Venus will be the brightest, easily visible to the naked eye. Mars will display a reddish hue. Jupiter and Mercury will also be visible without special equipment, but they set quickly. Jupiter will set around 6:30 PM and Mercury by 7 PM. 

Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or a telescope due to their faintness. Saturn, being close to the Sun, will be challenging to spot.

In Delhi, India, the weather forecast for February 28, 2025, indicates some clouds with possible thunderstorms in the evening, which may hinder visibility.

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Planetary Parade 2025, February 28: Time, When and Where to Watch, And Best Ways to Observe

The Planetary Parade 2025 on February 28 is a rare celestial event where seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will align on one side of the Sun. Here's how to make the most of this spectacular event:

When to Watch

• Best Time: The ideal time to observe the planetary parade in the United States is shortly after sunset, approximately between 6:30 PM and 9:00 PM local time.
• Visibility Period: The planets will be visible for a few hours, but the best viewing conditions are during twilight, about 45 minutes after sunset.

Where to Watch

• Location: Find a spot with minimal light pollution for the best view. Open areas or hills away from city lights are ideal.
• Direction: Look towards the western horizon for Mercury, Venus, and Saturn, and towards the southeast for Jupiter and Uranus.

Best Ways to Observe

• Naked Eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be seen without any aid.
• Optical Aid: Use binoculars or a telescope to spot Uranus and Neptune.
• Star Map Apps: Utilise apps like SkyView, Star Walk 2, or Stellarium to locate the planets in the sky.
• Online Viewing: For those unable to observe in person, the event can be watched live online.

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Is the Planet Parade 2025 Visible from India?

Yes, the Planetary Parade 2025 is visible from India on February 28. Here are the details:

Visibility in India

• Planets Visible: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus can be seen with the naked eye. Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope due to their faint visibility.
• Best Time: Approximately 45 minutes after sunset, around 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM IST, depending on your location.
• Direction: Look towards the western horizon for Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Jupiter and Uranus will be higher in the sky, while Mars will appear in the east later in the evening.

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How Long Will Each Planet Be Visible During the Parade?

During the Planetary Parade 2025 on February 28, the visibility of each planet will vary depending on its position in the sky and your location. Here's a breakdown:

Visibility Duration of Each Planet

• Mercury: Visible for a short time after sunset, approximately until 7:30 PM IST, as it will set quickly below the western horizon.
• Venus: Visible prominently after sunset and will remain in the sky until around 9:00 PM IST before setting.
• Mars: Rises later in the evening and will stay visible until just before sunrise, making it one of the longest visible planets during the parade.
• Jupiter: Visible shortly after sunset and remains in the sky until around midnight IST.
• Saturn: Like Mercury, Saturn will be visible for a limited time after sunset, setting by around 8:00 PM IST.
• Uranus: Requires binoculars or a telescope; visible from shortly after sunset until about 1:00 AM IST.
• Neptune: Also requires optical aid; visible earlier in the evening but sets by around 11:30 PM IST.

Key Observational Highlights

• The best time to catch most planets is within the first 1-2 hours after sunset.
• Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus will remain visible for longer durations compared to Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Neptune.

For optimal viewing, find a dark location with minimal light pollution and use stargazing apps to locate fainter planets like Uranus and Neptune.

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