Mark your calendars, February 28 will feature a rare celestial astronomical event, where six planets will appear above the horizon after sunset.
Imagine six planets: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, performing a synchronized dance millions of kilometers away, just for you to watch from Earth!
How Does It Happen
A Planetary Parade occurs when several planets move into positions that place them on the same side of the sun and along the ecliptic, the pathway that all planets share.
Stated by The Guardian, those planets won’t appear in a perfectly straight line. Instead, they will be scattered across a broad arc that follows the ecliptic, the sun’s path across the sky.
Even though these planets are separated by millions of kilometers, our viewpoint compresses them into a single striking formation.
What to Expect on February 28
Unfortunately, you won’t see all these six with the naked eyes. But, why?
Here’s what you need to know:
- Venus and Jupiter will be the easiest to spot because of their great brilliance. During the planetary parade, these two are the main planets most people will recognise immediately.
- Mercury and Saturn are technically visible without equipment, but there are challenges as they are quite low to the west- southwest horizon against a rather bright twilight sky.
- Neptune and Uranus cannot be seen without proper equipment. Due to Malaysia’s humidity and light pollution, even binoculars will not be enough for these distant planets. Plus, you needed a good telescope and needed to know exactly where in the sky to look.
Where to Watch it
Good news for Malaysia, you can watch this cosmic spectacle too.
Here are some of the best spots to maximise your view:
Kuala Lumpur:
- Planetarium Negara, ideal for beginners, with public telescope viewings and organized stargazing events.
Selangor:
- Putrajaya, Wetland, one of the best places to catch the planetary parade with its wide, open landscapes and minimal tall buildings blocking the horizon.
The episode isn’t done yet, according to Space.com, skywatchers will get another chance later this year. On 20 April, three planets (Mercury, Mars, and Saturn) will line up again, giving us one more mini episode of a planetary gathering in 2026.
Source: Star Walk, The Guardian, Space.com