Several planets will be lined up and visible from Earth on Saturday. Here’s what to know:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A “parade of planets,” where Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Saturn are expected to be visible to the naked eye, will be visible in the western sky shortly after the sun goes down on Saturday, Feb. 28.
The best viewing window in the Jacksonville area will be from about 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., just after sunset. Observers should look toward the western horizon, where the planets will appear as bright points of light.
Unlike stars, planets typically do not twinkle, making them easier to identify once spotted. However, they may resemble bright stars to the casual observer.
Despite the name “parade,” the planets are not physically lined up in space. In reality, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Saturn are spread out along their individual orbits around the sun.
From Earth’s perspective, however, they appear arranged in a loose line across the sky. This visual alignment happens because the planets orbit along the same general plane, known as the ecliptic, creating the illusion of a lineup when viewed from our vantage point. The image below gives you a general idea of where the planets are currently in their orbits.
Choose a location with a clear view of the western horizon, free from trees and buildings.
Head outside shortly after sunset, as Mercury and Saturn will set relatively quickly.
Consider using a sky-mapping smartphone app to help identify each planet.
The other big factor is the weather, it will be cloudy in the morning and should slowly clear out by evening.