February is already a romantic month thanks to Valentine’s Day, but this year, it’s even more special—you won’t just be able to “gift” the moon to your special someone, but other planets too. This month’s nights bring an incredible and rare astronomical phenomenon, besides meteor showers, that allows us to see planets from Earth that are usually not visible.
What’s a parade of planets
According to NASA, a “parade of planets” refers to a rare astronomical event when several planets in our solar system align in a row across the sky, visible from Earth. This alignment can involve planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
During a parade of planets, the planets appear to be close together in a line, often occurring at certain times of the year when their orbits align. Although the planets don’t physically line up, their positions relative to each other make it seem like they are in a parade across the night sky.
Which planets will be visible?
This month, we will be able to see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn with the naked eye. If you have a telescope, you will also be able to get a view of Neptune and Uranus.
How long does the parade of planets will last?
The planetary phenomenon is expected to last throughout February, but visibility is not guaranteed as it will depend on weather conditions (cloud cover may block the view) and your location, ideally a high spot with little to no light pollution.
How to catch the parade of planets in L.A.?
To catch the parade of planets in Los Angeles, find a spot away from city lights, ideally in higher ground to get a clear view of the horizon. Popular spots include Griffith Observatory, Runyon Canyon, San Fernando Valley and Joshua Tree.
Check the weather forecast to ensure clear skies, as clouds can block your view. Use a stargazing app to help identify the planets in the sky. For a better experience, bring binoculars or a telescope, but many planets can be seen with the naked eye.