On February 28, the sky will treat us to a spectacular astronomical phenomenon: a planetary parade in which six planets will align and be visible to the naked eye. Four of these planets can be seen with the naked eye from Buenos Aires. Get a telescope or binoculars because you won’t be able to see it again until 2040.
What is a Planetary Parade?
A planetary parade or planetary alignment is an event where several planets can be observed simultaneously in the night sky. This 2026 brings us a planetary parade. More precisely, the planetary alignment of 2026 begins on February 28. If you are in Buenos Aires, the ideal time to enjoy this spectacle is around 8:30 p.m., just after sunset and when the sky is already dark.
The planets in this arrangement create an optical illusion that makes it seem as if they are actually behind each other because Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune orbit the Sun along the ecliptic, an imaginary line that traces their path across the sky.
Which planets can be seen in the 2026 alignment?
On February 28, the visible planets are Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The first four planets can be seen with the naked eye, while Neptune and Uranus require the use of a telescope.
How to see the planetary alignment in Argentina
You will be able to see this phenomenon from anywhere in the country. However, to maximize the experience, it is recommended to find a place with little light pollution and bring binoculars or a telescope to observe the more distant planets (Neptune and Uranus).