Rare planetary parade lights up the night sky, captivating stargazers worldwide

On the night of February 28, 2025, a stunning celestial event unfolded as seven planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus – aligned in the sky, visible together from Earth for the first time in years. The phenomenon, known as a planetary parade or alignment, captivated skywatchers worldwide, with many sharing photos of the breathtaking sight.

The #PlanetaryParade Alignment from Cornwall_UK tonight :)... Mercury Saturn and Neptune all had set by this time... pic.twitter.com/TjaoWGSlN3

— ƝLB_SWUK 🌈🇪🇺 (@KmunityOfEquals) February 28, 2025

While planetary lineups aren’t entirely rare, seeing seven planets in alignment is an extraordinary occurrence. This alignment offered a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to witness multiple planets in one view, and many took to social media to express their awe. "Space is cool!" one excited observer posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Astronomer Dr. Greg Brown from the Royal Observatory Greenwich explained the spectacle, noting that planetary parades occur when several planets are visible in the sky simultaneously. "The impressiveness of such a parade depends on how many planets are involved and how clearly visible they are," he said.

Although Mercury, Neptune, and Saturn were closest to the horizon in the early evening and difficult to spot due to twilight, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars were easily visible to the naked eye. Uranus and Neptune, however, were more challenging to see without the aid of binoculars or a telescope.

For many, the event was a rare chance to appreciate the beauty of our solar system. One stargazer tweeted, “Been awake since 3am and drove for 8 hours to witness the planetary alignment from one of the largest dark sky preserves in the US.”

In the UK, another shared a picture of the alignment from Cornwall, noting that by the time they observed it, Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune had already set. A photography page even shared a timelapse video featuring 4,000 photos capturing the spectacular event.

While such an alignment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, another opportunity to witness a four-planet parade is coming in August 2025. But for now, the February 2025 alignment remains a shining moment in the sky for space enthusiasts worldwide.

With no such alignment expected again until 2040, this planetary parade will surely be a cherished memory for stargazers everywhere.