Seven planets align in remarkable celestial event

In late February 2025, a unique astronomical phenomenon took place, allowing stargazers across several parts of the world to witness a spectacular event known as a planetary alignment. Specifically, seven planets: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus lined up in the night sky and appeared to be aligned just after sunset. Astronomer Dr. Gerard van Belle explained the timing and visibility conditions necessary for optimal viewing, emphasizing the requirement of a clear view of the eastern horizon, as certain planets were close to the sun and challenging to spot with the naked eye. Although Mercury is always difficult to catch due to its proximity to the sun, the other planets—Venus, Mars, and Jupiter—are considerably brighter and easily identifiable. Dr. Van Belle also noted that Neptune and Uranus usually require the assistance of a telescope or binoculars for a clear view. The occurrence of multi-planet lineups is relatively infrequent, as planetary orbits vary, and while NASA states that such events can be viewed every few years, a seven-planet parade is particularly rare. The solar system, comprised of eight planets, experiences these unique alignments due to the varying speeds at which the planets orbit the sun. Mercury, being the closest planet to the sun, is only visible for brief periods throughout the year, leading to the significance of events like the one observed in February 2025. For anyone interested, NASA has also indicated that there will be another chance to see a planetary parade in late August 2025, featuring four planets visible before dawn.