The 2026 Planetary Parade: Don't Miss Out on This Rare Celestial Event!

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - With February finally coming to an end, that means one of the celestial events that we’ve been waiting for is officially here. Beyond another night of stargazing, this is a rare moment where our solar system gathers in a gorgeous, synchronized display. 

While most of us may see a single planet or two, witnessing half of our planetary system at once is a spectacle that will linger in our memory forever. To ensure you don’t miss a single thing in this rare event of planetary parade, we have compiled everything you need to know about the event, citing various sources. 

Best Date And Time to Watch the Planetary Parade

Mark your calendar for this Saturday, February 28, 2026, as this date will be the optimal opportunity to see all six planets aligned. This is the moment when this celestial event is at its most organized. While Jupiter remains splendidly bright and easy to spot high in the sky, other planets like Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Neptune will be positioned very low in the west.

These specific planets will be difficult to spot shortly after the sun sets. However, they will follow it below the horizon quickly, making it essential to catch them before they dip out of sight.

How to Watch the Planetary Parade Safely

To observe the alignment, you have to prioritize safety first. According to the BBC, you should never attempt to view the planets until the sun has completely set below the horizon, as looking at it directly could damage your eyesight. Especially for those who are trying to find Neptune because it requires binoculars or a telescope, searching for it too soon after sunset is dangerous due to lingering sunlight. 

For the best experience, you should venture away from tall buildings and trees that might block your view and find a spot with a clear, flat western horizon. While Jupiter will be easy to find high in the sky, you need to look much lower toward the west to find Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Neptune.

How to Differentiate Planet and Star

Once you have located a point of light in the sky, you can differentiate if it is a planet or a star by observing the quality of the light. As stated by planetary scientist Sara Mazrouei with Humber Polytechnic in Canada, the simplest way to tell them apart is to check if the object is twinkling. Sara explains that "if it's twinkling, it's a star," and "if it is not twinkling, it's a planet," as quoted from Independent.

Jupiter will be the most noticeable object in the southern part of the sky and can be located near the Orion constellation, the stars Castor and Pollux. By spotting a steady, non-twinkling light along the sky from the western horizon, you can confidently confirm that you have witnessed the rare members of this planetary alignment.

Read: 7 Night Sky Events in February 2026: Don't Miss These Celestial Sights

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