What is the Six-Planet Parade of 2026?

On February 28, 2026, there will be a rare six planet parade that will light up the evening skies with Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune aligning along the ecliptic. 

It is a heavenly phenomenon that presents the interstellar viewer to a beautiful sight just after dark and the naked eye can see four planets in a clear sky. In the western horizon, astronomy enthusiasts in India such as Delhi can view it.

On February 28, 2026, the sky will be a spectacular display of a spaced-out parade with six planets visible approximately 30 minutes after the local sunset of the world. This is not real in space alignments and is a perspective effect seen to have the planets clustering along the ecliptic of the Sun. 

In NASA skywatch guide, it is verified that the best time to view the event is late February when evening sky watchers do not have to start before dawn.

The spectacle continues to climax in mid-February due to the setting of Saturn to the west with Venus and Mercury rising to join it with Jupiter eminent in the east. 

The Moon is almost full and close to Jupiter which can be dramatic but could obscure lesser planets. This is so in line with other such parades happening in 2024-2025 but the evening time of 2026 makes it more accessible.

When Can You Observe the Planetary Parade?

The parade covers between the late 2nd month of the year and the first month of the year, the median date of the parade being 28 February, the day on which most of the locations find the greatest numbers of planets converging closely. 

Planets also appear after sunset: Mercury and Venus are the first to disappear in the west, after which Saturn and Neptune, followed by Uranus and Jupiter who take the longest time. The visibility is different, with the north viewers witnessing a westward arc and the south ones witnessing a mirrored tilt.

NASA points out the middle to late February when Saturn is in contact with Venus and Mercury low west, Jupiter in the east-southeast. The best part will be 1-2 hours where western planets will descend beyond horizons. It has high success probabilities on cloudless nights and when there is less light pollution, particularly when the Moon is shining on a peak night.

Which are the Participating Planets?

The list includes Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune, the worlds of the inner and outer solar system. Venus shines the most, Jupiter next; Saturn is yellowish; Mercury low, dim; the ice giants must be magnified.

Best Viewing Details

Prime time: 30-60 minutes after sunset on February 28, scan to the west towards the cluster and to the east towards Jupiter. 

Delhi (sunset is around 6:15 PM IST), begin at 6:45 PM; on March 1, Mumbai peaks a little later. Confirm positions by using apps such as Star Walk 2 to provide AR overlays.

Western sky should have no clouds; city lights do not favour low planets. Moon at almost 90 illumination is at a distance of about 4deg of Jupiter, which can help in locating, but not Uranus/Neptune. The time is shortened each night as the inner planets take it away earlier.

Visibility by Location

Northern Hemisphere: Chain low in the west (Mercury-Venus-Saturn-Neptune), Uranus in the middle, with a chain low placed eastward by Jupiter. Delhi audiences have the same situation; however, the pollution can dull Mercury; ideal western rural locations. The Southern Hemisphere reverses the tilt with the planets appearing higher on the first day.

World peaks move: February 28 best NY/Tokyo; March 1 Delhi/Berlin because of the longitude. The heights are equal in equatorial places, the poles narrow the sight. Local simulations Check Stellarium or NASA apps.

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