Seven planets share the sky this week, but the parade ends soon

The seven other planets in our solar system can be seen in the sky at once through Friday, forming a planet parade. But two require a telescope to view.

As February draws to a close, skywatchers have their final chance to see the “planet parade” that has been lighting up the night sky.

While the celestial spectacle, in which all seven planets in our solar system apart from Earth can be seen at once, has been on display for most of the week, Friday is expected to offer the best chance for skywatchers worldwide. That’s because Mercury, which did not appear above the horizon until late this month, will be at its highest point above the horizon.

After Friday, Mercury and Saturn will likely appear too faint and too low on the horizon for most people to see.

Including those two planets, it should be possible to spot five of the seven planets with the naked eye if conditions are right. Viewing Uranus and Neptune, however, will require a telescope.

Planetary parades occur when multiple planets appear at the same time, spread across the sky in a kind of arc. They’re not uncommon, though it’s rare for all seven planets to be visible at the same time. In August, four planets will be visible before sunrise, but it won’t be until October 2028 that five will again be visible at once, according to NASA.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/seven-planets-share-sky-parade-ends-soon-rcna193630

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