A breathtaking astronomical phenomenon is about to take place at the end of February when several planets align in a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic spectacle. A planetary parade, this phenomenon will see five planets—Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Mercury—glimmering brightly enough to be viewed with the naked eye. For telescope owners, Uranus and Neptune will also be visible, further enhancing the cosmic spectacle.

What is planetary alignment?

Though seeming to be in a straight line across the sky at night, the planets aren't really aligned in a perfect line in space. As per the stargazing website EarthSky, the alignment is close to impossible as the planets are in different orbits around the Sun. But since they all follow the plane of the solar system—the ecliptic—they visually present themselves as an arc. Astrophotographer Dan Bartlett explained the view to Business Insider, saying that the planets will be "strewn across" the sky, looking like super bright stars.

When and where to see the planetary parade

For observers who want to see this once-in-a-lifetime event, timing is everything. The optimal viewing time is shortly after sunset. To have the best view, look for a spot with little light pollution, like a hilltop or an open field.

Although all the planets will be visible simultaneously, some are becoming more difficult to observe. Saturn and Neptune are slowly disappearing into the bright glow of the setting Sun, becoming more difficult to see. At the same time, Mercury is rising, becoming one of the more visible planets to observe in the next few days.

How to spot each planet

To identify the planets in the night sky, follow these simple steps:

Start by looking west. Venus, the brightest planet in the sky, will be the most noticeable. Mercury and Saturn will appear just below it, near the horizon.

Look up and toward the south. Jupiter will be shining high overhead.

Draw an imaginary line from Venus to Jupiter. Going this way will guide you towards Mars, and this will show as a reddish glowing dot in the direction east.

For a more accurate guide, it is also possible to use a stargazing app like SkySafari or Stellarium. Bartlett also recommends viewing the International Space Station (ISS) schedule because it sometimes goes through the same sky-watching window. The ISS is as bright as Venus, sometimes many times brighter," he explained, making it an exciting additional sight for those watching the sky.

A must see event before it disappears

This alignment of planets is a momentary occurrence, with the planets already starting to fall below the horizon. For astronomy buffs and general sky-watchers alike, this is a rare chance to see an alignment of our solar system's planets. 

So take your binoculars or telescope, locate a dark-sky site, and take in this beautiful celestial display before it vanishes!

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