The solar system always has something up its sleeve. The latest? Six planets are set to be visible from Earth this weekend in what’s known as a “planetary parade!”
Florida stargazers should mark their calendars for February 28, as several planets will gather closely on one side of the sun at the same time, forming a line that’s visible to the naked eye. And although NASA notes that such alignments aren’t necessarily rare, they’re worth observing since they don’t happen every year!
Here are some fun facts about this celestial phenomenon and how to get the best view from Florida:
Which planets will be visible?
During this weekend’s planetary parade, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye if the weather permits. Uranus and Neptune will also be visible with the assistance of binoculars or a telescope.
When to see it in Florida
The planet alignment will be visible about 30 minutes after sunset on Saturday, February 28. For Floridians, that’s roughly 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The best viewing spots in Florida
If you’re looking to catch the best views of the alignment, you’ll want to head to an area with minimal light pollution and obstructions. Try heading to any of the following places:
- The Everglades: For those in South Florida, heading to Shark Valley or Big Cypress National Preserve offers some of the darkest skies in the state.
- Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park: Located in Central Florida, this is an “International Dark Sky Park,” making it a premier destination for astronomical events.
- The Gulf and Atlantic Beaches: Spots like Sebastian Inlet on the east coast or the stretches of St. George Island in the Panhandle provide sweeping views of the horizon.
Just be sure to choose a location with a clear western horizon and start observing as soon as the sky darkens!