Before we make it to the rare Blood Moon total lunar eclipse this March, New Yorkers are getting a front row seat to another celestial event at the end of this month. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, a rare six-planet alignment–or planet parade–will be visible in the NYC sky shortly after sunset.
During the event, several planets will gather closely together on one side of the sun at the same time, forming a line that’s visible to the naked eye. Though NASA notes these phenomenons aren’t exceedingly rare, they’re worth observing since they don’t happen every year.
Here’s what to know:
🪐 What is a planetary alignment?
According to Starwalk.space, a planetary alignment is when several planets gather closely on one side of the sun at the same time. The result? The planets form a line in the sky–though not a perfectly straight one–that can (mostly) be seen with the naked eye!
There are four kinds of planetary alignments:
- Mini planetary alignment – 3 planets aligned
- Small planetary alignment – 4 planets aligned
- Large planetary alignment – 5 or 6 planets aligned
- Great (full) planetary alignment – all Solar System planets aligned (+ Pluto sometimes)
The spectacle is also sometimes referred to as a planet parade, which, in the broadest sense, refers to when several planets are present in the sky at once.
⏰ When to see it in NYC
The six-planet alignment will be visible about 30 minutes after sunset on Saturday, February 28, 2026–for New Yorkers, that’s 6:16 pm (sunset is at 5:46 pm on February 28).
👀 Which planets will be visible?
During February’s planetary alignment, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will be visible.
- Bright and easy to spot – Venus & Jupiter
- Visible to the naked eye under good conditions – Mercury & Saturn
- Will likely require binoculars or a small telescope – Uranus & Neptune
To make sure you’re not just looking at stars, you can download the free stargazing app Sky Tonight, which can help you locate all the planets in the alignment by pointing your phone up to the night sky.
📍 The Best Viewing Spots in NYC
If you’re looking to catch a view of the planet parade, standing in front of your apartment won’t cut it–you need an open space with unobstructed views of the sky. Try heading to the following spots and looking low toward the west/southwest:
- The Hudson River Waterfront: head to the West Side Highway, Chelsea Piers, or Riverside Park
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade: look out over the East River and Lower Manhattan
- A High-Floor Rooftop: if you have access to a skyscraper or a rooftop lounge facing west, this is the time to use it
- The Rockaways: the beach offers wide open skies that are hard to beat in the five boroughs
🌌 Pro tips for viewing the planet parade
Given its short visibility window, here are a few preparations you can make to help you make the most of the planetary alignment:
- Start observing as soon as the sky darkens
- Choose a location with a clear western horizon
- Bring powerful binoculars or a telescope if you want to see Uranus and Neptune
- Don’t wait too long—Mercury sets quickly
- Remember planets shine steadily—that’s how you to differentiate them from twinkling stars
🔭 Why New Yorkers shouldn’t miss it
Seeing several planets in the sky on the same evening isn’t extremely rare, but a lineup of this many that are easy to observe is special.
Add in the fact that a bright, nearly full Moon near Jupiter will make the view even more striking and we’ve got ourselves a must see event for both beginners and experienced skywatchers.