'Don’t miss it': Seven planets align for a rare celestial spectacle on this date
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Cosmic Rarity
A rare celestial event will occur on February 28, 2025, as all seven other planets align in Earth's night sky in a mesmerizing "great planetary alignment."
January Prelude
On January 21, 2025, six planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn—will align, offering a precursor to the grand February event.
Planetary Dance
Planet alignments, though common with a few planets, rarely feature seven or eight, making this alignment a once-in-decades spectacle.
Ecliptic Plane
These alignments occur due to the planets' shared orbit along the ecliptic plane, a cosmic arrangement dating back to the Solar System’s formation.
Orbital Tilt
While planets orbit slightly above or below the ecliptic, their collective alignment creates the illusion of a line across the sky.
Viewing Tools
Interactive tools like Time and Date and apps like Sky Tonight provide real-time planet positions to ensure you don’t miss this phenomenon.
Binoculars Needed
For the best view of the alignment, binoculars or a telescope will be essential to spot fainter planets like Uranus and Neptune.
Sky Conditions
Clear skies are crucial, so start checking weather forecasts and planning ideal observation spots to fully enjoy this cosmic parade.
Mark Your Calendar
With January’s large alignment and February’s great alignment, 2025 promises to be a year of celestial wonders for stargazers.