Night Sky
A Planetary Parade When Six Planets Align:
Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Uranus, Neptune
Here’s when and how you can see the six-planet alignment (planetary parade) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from Springdale, Utah (Northern Hemisphere location) — based on astronomical predictions for this event:
When to watch
- Date: Saturday, Feb 28, 2026 (this is the peak date when the planets look closest together).
- Best time: About 30 – 60 minutes after local sunset. In Springdale the Sun sets around ~6 PM MST that day, so plan for ~6:15 PM – 7:30 PM local time.
- Viewing window: Although Feb 28 is the best date, you can often spot some planets for a few days before/after — but the tightest grouping is on the 28th.
Where in the sky to look
- Right after sunset: face west/southwest for the best view of the alignment near the horizon.
Tips to improve your view
- Clear western horizon: Find a spot with an unobstructed view toward the west/southwest — hills, trees, or buildings can block the low planets.
- Binoculars/telescope: Bring binoculars (and a telescope if you have one) to help catch Uranus and Neptune.
- Light pollution: A darker spot helps with seeing fainter planets — Springdale’s skies are generally good if you move just outside town lights.
- Sky apps: Tools like Star Walk, Stellarium, or SkyView can overlay names and help you find each planet in real time.
Extra note
There will also be a bright Moon nearby in the evening sky, which can make the faint planets even harder to see.