Cosmic spectacle: all the planets can be seen in the sky

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A rare celestial spectacle is on the horizon: Over the next few nights, all seven more planets will be visible from Earth.

Seven-planet parade on 28 February 2025
Since January 21, 2025, six planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn – have been visible in the evening sky. On 28 February, Mercury will join them, making a total of seven planets appear in a line. While Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are visible to the naked eye, you will need a telescope or good binoculars for Uranus and Neptune. Mercury is a particular challenge for observers due to its proximity to the sun and its short visibility period in twilight.

Optimal observation times
The best time to observe this event is shortly after sunset, approximately between 17:00 and 21:30. Look for a place with a clear view of the horizon and as little light pollution as possible to experience the planetary parade in its full splendor. Note that weather conditions can affect visibility; clear, cloudless nights are ideal.

Scientific background
A planetary parade occurs when several planets line up as seen from Earth. This phenomenon is caused by the planets’ different orbits and speeds around the sun, causing them to periodically gather on one side of the sun and appear in a line when viewed from Earth.

Frequently asked questions:

What is a planetary parade?
The term “planetary parade” describes the phenomenon of several planets being seen in the sky at night.

Shortly after sunset
Mercury, Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus could all be visible in the sky immediately in the next few days, shortly after sunset. Four planets (Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn) have been visible in the planetary parade since the beginning of the year. Neptune and Uranus joined them later to line up with the other four celestial bodies. Not all planets are equally visible. They “replace” each other.

All seven planets “dance” in a row
However, with some luck, all seven planets should be visible in the coming nights if you know where to find them. The conditions for this phenomenon should be particularly favorable on Tuesday. Mars, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus are currently visible to the naked eye. You will need a technical aid such as a telescope to see Saturn, Neptune and Uranus.
What is a planet parade?
The grand parade of planets is an astronomical phenomenon in which several planets in our solar system are simultaneously on one side of the sun and are visible from Earth in a line or close arrangement in the sky. These planets appear aligned along the so-called ecliptic as they all move around the sun in approximately the same plane.

What is the ecliptic?
The ecliptic is the plane where the Earth and most planets in our solar system orbit the Sun. This plane of orbits is an imaginary line that is an orientation for astronomical observations.