Mark your calendar and keep an eye on the western horizon. On February 28, 2026, six planets will appear aligned along the ecliptic just after sunset. It is the kind of quiet cosmic event that rewards those willing to step outside and look up.
The alignment will include Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Venus will be the brightest and hardest to miss, shining brilliantly in the evening sky. Jupiter will also stand out clearly higher above the horizon. Saturn will appear dimmer but still visible to the naked eye under good conditions.
Mercury will be the trickiest. It will sit low, only about 8 to 10 degrees above the western horizon, and will set quickly. A clear, flat horizon will make all the difference. Uranus and Neptune will not be visible without binoculars or a telescope, but they will be part of the same diagonal arc stretching across the sky.
The best time to look is about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. Weather and light pollution will play a role, so finding a spot with an unobstructed western view will improve your chances.
Six worlds sharing the same narrow orbital path is a reminder that even on an ordinary evening, something extraordinary may be happening just above us.
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