Tag: Planets

Science

Rare Planetary Parade to Light Up the Sky on February 28, Visible for the First Time in Decades

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

February 28 will witness a rare and spectacular astronomical event as six planets—Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Mercury, and Neptune—become visible in a near-linear alignment, often referred to as a “planetary parade.” Such alignments are uncommon, making this a once-in-decades opportunity for skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts.


While planets frequently align in smaller groups, seeing six planets line up simultaneously is exceptionally rare. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be relatively easy to spot with the naked eye, while Mercury will be visible near the horizon. Neptune, being much farther and fainter, may require binoculars or a telescope for clear observation.

Astronomers note that the alignment is a result of the planets’ orbits placing them on the same side of the Sun from Earth’s perspective, creating the illusion of a straight line across the sky. Weather conditions and light pollution will play a key role in visibility, and viewers are advised to look toward the horizon shortly after sunset or before sunrise, depending on their location.

This celestial event will not repeat in a similar formation for several decades, making February 28 a must-watch moment for anyone interested in space and the wonders of the universe.

Human Interest

November 2025 Skywatching Guide: Meteor Showers, Planet Highlights & a Moon–Star Dance

Tanisha Cardozo

November 2025 promises a month of spectacular sights for anyone looking up at the night sky. The month begins on November 5 with the waxing Beaver Moon rising in the evening, its warm glow lighting up early November skies and offering a perfect preview of the month’s celestial treats.

The next day, November 6, the Moon drifts past the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. This cluster of delicate blue-white stars appears close to the bright Moon in the early morning hours. Although the Moon’s glow may slightly outshine the stars, binoculars can reveal the cluster in all its splendor.

On November 12, the Northern Taurid meteor shower peaks. Known not for quantity but for quality, Taurids produce slow-moving, bright fireballs that linger in the sky, delighting observers with occasional dramatic streaks of light.

The Leonid meteor shower will follow on the night of November 17–18. With little moonlight to interfere, stargazers can expect 10 to 15 meteors per hour under dark skies. While usually moderate in activity, the Leonids have a history of impressive storms, offering graceful streaks across the night.

November 21 brings a dual celestial spectacle. Uranus reaches opposition, its closest and brightest appearance of the year, visible through binoculars or a small telescope as a tiny pale-blue disk. On the same night, the Alpha Monocerotid meteor shower may surprise observers with sudden, short-lived bursts of meteors, making it a wild-card shower to watch.

November 2025 is a reminder to pause and marvel at the night sky. From the early Beaver Moon to meteor showers, planetary highlights, and the Moon’s dance with the Pleiades, each evening offers the chance to witness the beauty and mystery of the cosmos unfold.

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Rare Celestial Spectacle: Planetary Parade Illuminates Night Sky on January 25

allycaralgoa

A rare and breathtaking celestial event, known as a planetary parade or alignment, occurred on January 25, 2025, as Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune aligned in the night sky.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this extraordinary event was a result of the unique configuration of the planetary system and the different revolution periods of the planets. The alignment made it possible for observers to see Jupiter and Mars on the eastern sky, Saturn and Venus on the western sky with the naked eye, and Uranus and Neptune through a telescope.

The IMD described this event as “one of the rarest astronomical events,” highlighting the exceptional nature of this celestial spectacle. The planetary parade was a rare opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts and the general public to witness a breathtaking display of celestial harmony.

This extraordinary event has sparked widespread interest and excitement among stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts, inspiring people to gaze up at the night sky and appreciate the beauty of the celestial world.