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Illustration of the solar system with aligned planets and a view of the night sky showing the position of various planets.
How to watch the phenomenon from Argentina? | Camara La Derecha Diario
ARGENTINA

The Alignment of 7 Planets This February 28: Schedule and How to See It From Argentina

Find out what time to watch and what you'll need to not miss the astronomical phenomenon.

by

Editorial Team

The night of Friday, February 28 will offer a unique astronomical show. Seven planets will align in the sky, a phenomenon that won't happen again until the year 2492. To make the most of it,  it's key to know their exact location and how to identify them.

This rare alignment will include:

  • Mercury
  • Venus
  • Mars
  • Jupiter
  • Saturn
  • Uranus
  • Neptune

While they will be visually aligned, it's actually an optical illusion caused by their different orbital speeds and the perspective from Earth.

Illustration of the solar system showing the planets and their orbits around the Sun, including the asteroid belt and the Kuiper belt.
Friday night, February 28, will offer a unique astronomical spectacle | La Derecha Diario

What time will the planet alignment be visible?

From Argentina, the planets will start to be visible shortly after sunset. According to Argentine astronomer Claudio Martínez, the best times to observe them will be:

  • 15 to 20 minutes after sunset: Venus and Saturn will be the first "stars" to appear.
  • Later: Jupiter will be visible to the north and Mars, more to the east.
  • Uranus and Neptune: A telescope will be needed to detect them.
Comparison of features between the planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system and the rocky planets of the solar system, showing data such as orbital period, distance to the star, planet radius, mass, density, and surface gravity.
it is an optical illusion caused by their different orbital speeds | La Derecha Diario

How to find the planets in the sky

To facilitate the search, NASA recommends using mobile apps that allow real-time identification of celestial bodies. Some free options are:

  • Sky Map
  • Star Walk 2
  • SkyView Lite
  • Sky Safari
A snowy mountain range under a night sky where several aligned and labeled planets are visible, reflecting in a lake in the foreground.
Sky Map | La Derecha Diario

Is it a real alignment or a planetary parade?

Doctor in Astronomy Romina Disisto, a CONICET researcher, explained that the term "alignment" is used when the planets are perfectly aligned with Earth in space. In this case, what will occur is more of a planetary parade.

The planets will be spread along the ecliptic (the plane of Earth's orbit), creating the impression that they follow the same path in the sky.

How to best view the phenomenon?

For a better experience, experts recommend:

  • Finding a place away from light pollution.
  • Observing in a clear horizon, as some planets will be low in the sky.
  • Using binoculars or telescopes to identify the dimmer planets, like Uranus and Neptune.
Illustration of several planets aligned in space with a starry background.
Use binoculars or telescopes to identify the faintest planets, like Uranus and Neptune. | La Derecha Diario

Saturn and Neptune: the hardest to see

Saturn will be the hardest to distinguish, as it will be very close to the Sun. Meanwhile, Neptune will be over the western horizon, but its faint glow will require powerful binoculars to be seen.

This planetary alignment is a unique opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts. With the right conditions, it will be possible to enjoy an event that won't be repeated for the next 467 years.

➡️ Argentina

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