A spectacular celestial event is happening soon! From February 28 for about a week, seven planets will align in the night sky. While not all will be visible to the naked eye, with the right conditions, you can catch a rare glimpse of this cosmic display.
Which Planets Will Align?
Matt Woods from the Perth Observatory explains that the alignment includes Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, and Mars. However, some of these planets will be quite low on the horizon, making them harder to see. “If you go out to the beach on the west coast, you’ll have a much better view,” Woods says. “A pair of binoculars or a small telescope will really help.”
Best Time and Place to Watch
To see the alignment, head to the beach just after sunset. Venus will be the easiest to spot because of its brightness. With binoculars, you might even catch Jupiter’s moons. Woods suggests looking westward: “You’ll notice Venus first, and then if the conditions are right, you may see other planets nearby.”
How Rare Is This Alignment?
Seeing all seven planets at once is uncommon. According to Woods, we’re currently in a period where these alignments happen more frequently. “For the past five to seven years, and another four or five years, the planets have been mostly on the same side of the Sun,” he explains. The larger planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—have long orbits, making these alignments infrequent. For example, Jupiter takes 12 years to orbit the Sun, while Saturn takes 29 years.
Are There Viewing Events?
While there’s no official public event, the Perth Observatory has a sold-out night sky tour on that evening. However, the observatory itself isn’t the best viewing spot for this alignment. “We have a lot of trees, which help block light pollution but also make it hard to see objects low on the horizon,” Woods says. “The best place is the beach.”
More Space Events to Watch
If you’re interested in stargazing, there’s always something to see. Right now, the Orion constellation is visible, featuring the stunning Orion Nebula. “You can even see it from the city with binoculars,” Woods says. “In the Southern Hemisphere, we have some of the best objects in the sky.”
The Southern Cross is also rising in the southeast during the early evening. Near it, you’ll find the Jewel Box star cluster and the massive Eta Carina Nebula. For those in darker areas, the Magellanic Clouds—two nearby galaxies—will be visible in the southern sky.
Don’t Miss This Cosmic Show!
Whether you’re an avid astronomer or just curious about the night sky, this rare planetary alignment is worth checking out. Grab some binoculars, head to the beach, and enjoy the wonders of the universe!