The February evening is visible just after sunset, quietly setting the stage for a wide lineup of planets that span much of the sky. Rather than peaking overnight, the exhibits unfold gradually over the course of the month, giving the impression of a slow seasonal change rather than a one-time event. Several planets appear at once and spread out high in the sky from the western horizon, creating what astronomers often call a planetary parade. This effect is subtle and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but with a clear line of sight and a little patience, the change in position becomes noticeable. The best views tend to be during the second half of the month, when you can spot more planets during the same evening hours.

A parade of planets lined up in the evening sky in late February

National Geographic describes late February as an extended viewing period rather than a single highlight date. You can track up to six planets in the evening sky from around February 20th until early March.

Venus, Mercury, and Saturn will be clustered low on the western horizon and will set just after dusk. Neptune moves closer but remains dark. Jupiter is visible in the middle of the eastern sky, while Uranus is higher up in the south, near the Pleiades star cluster. National Geographic emphasizes that this is an evening exhibit, best viewed just after sunset, and that coverage that focuses on one night often misses how long the lineup actually lasts.

Planets visible to the naked eye during the planet parade

If the skies are clear and light pollution is minimal, the planets visible to the naked eye are:

And these planets need equipment to ensure visibility

The array of six planets will be most clearly visible in late February

Venus is a prominent object in the west, bright enough to be visible even before the sky becomes completely dark. Mercury appears closer, lower, and dimmer, but still visible on clear nights. Saturn stays close to the horizon and sets relatively quickly, often within an hour after sunset. Jupiter does not crowd the horizon like the inner planets. Instead, it is located high in the sky and has a stable brightness that makes it easy to recognize. Separation from the Western group widens the lineup and increases the sense of scale. Jupiter’s position is fairly stable throughout the month and serves as a visual anchor for the parade.More distant planets exist as well, but do not announce themselves. Uranus will be visible high in the southern sky, but Neptune will be moving close to Saturn. Both require binoculars or a telescope to see clearly. NASA Even though most observers focus on the brighter planets, we include them in the lineup to emphasize the full extent of the array.

A display that rewards patience

This is not a momentary spectacle associated with a specific date. The planet moves slowly and the scenery changes every night. National Geographic points out that the best impressions come just after dusk, when the sky is sufficiently dark but the lower planet has not yet set. A short walk outdoors and a clear view of the horizon is often enough. The rest depends on the weather, timing, and how long you choose to observe.