Rare ‘planet parade’ to peak soon: Here's how to see all 7 planets of our solar system with naked eye this week

February Planet Parade

Skywatchers are in for a rare celestial treat. This February, all seven planets will align, creating a stunning night-sky spectacle. Such events are truly unforgettable.

A Celestial Parade Across the Night Sky

Earlier in January, six planets — Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — aligned. But the real show arrives on 28 February when Mercury joins the cosmic lineup. This marks the last complete alignment until 2040.

Between 21 and 29 January, six planets shone together, offering a spectacular view. However, the full alignment on 28 February will be the highlight for stargazers.

Planetary alignments occur when planets gather on one side of the Sun. Gerard van Belle from Lowell Observatory explained, “This alignment lets us view multiple planets at once.”

UK-based astronomer Jenifer Millard shared her excitement. “Photos online are great, but seeing it live is magical,” she said.

A Rare Link to India’s Maha Kumbh Mela

Interestingly, this cosmic event overlaps with India’s Maha Kumbh Mela. Known as the world’s largest cultural gathering, the 45-day festival ends on 26 February. The Mela holds deep astrological roots, with its timing based on Jupiter, the Sun, and the Moon.

This year’s planetary alignment adds rare significance to the festival. The overlap during the Purna Kumbh happens only once every 144 years.

Alignments That Shaped Space Exploration

Planetary alignments have long aided space missions. In 1966, NASA scientist Gary Flandro predicted a rare lineup of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune for 1977. This allowed NASA to reach all four planets within 12 years, instead of 30.

His discovery led to the launch of Voyager 1 and 2, which completed a “Grand Tour” of the outer solar system.

As the seven-planet alignment nears, astronomers and stargazers are gearing up for this rare event — a perfect blend of cosmic wonder and human curiosity.