From the Associated Press
At the end of February, a planetary parade graces the night sky, with seven planets visible - though some may be difficult to spot with the naked eye. These celestial gatherings occur when multiple planets appear to line up on one side of the sun, creating a stunning display. While they're not in a perfect straight line, the planets cluster closely together.
Planetary parades are fairly common, happening at least annually depending on the number of planets involved. A parade of four or five planets visible to the naked eye is a more rare event, occurring every few years according to NASA. Last June saw a similar parade, but only two planets were visible without any special equipment. In January, six planets were on display - four to the naked eye. This month, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter can be seen with the naked eye, while a faint Saturn and Mercury hover close to the horizon, making them harder to spot. Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or telescopes to be visible.
To catch this celestial event, head outside on a clear night after sunset. The planets will shine brighter than the stars, and you can spot the reddish-orange glow of Mars. Stargazing apps can help you locate the planets in the night sky. This planetary parade will slowly fade from view as spring approaches.
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