February 8, 2026 – Winter is slowly retreating, but the sky promises us more than just spring flutters. The Royal Museums Greenwich, in England, announce a rare phenomenon – a planetary parade that will illuminate the sky at the end of the month.
Celestial Ballet: The Parade of the Planets
What is this planetary parade? Six planets from our Solar System will line up in the sky, offering observers a unique opportunity. Jupiter, scientists promise, will be particularly visible – even with the naked eye. But it will not be the only one shining. Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will also participate in this cosmic dance.
Watch after sunset on February 28. You will need to look for a good horizon because some of the planets will be low. Light from the city or surrounding objects may make observation difficult. Mercury, Venus, and Saturn, as well as Neptune – will be visible soon after sunset. To see Neptune, you will need a telescope. Uranus will also be there, but to see it you need to arm yourself with patience – it will set around midnight.
Jupiter will shine the brightest, rising high in the sky, in the constellation Gemini. It is expected that it will be visible for most of the night, even in urban conditions where light pollution is high. Imagine – a bright light in the darkness.
Harbinger of Great Eclipses
But that's not all! This planetary parade is just the beginning. Astronomers are preparing us for an even more spectacular spectacle – an almost total solar eclipse. It will occur on August 12 in the UK. According to experts, this will be the best visible eclipse since 1999. The Moon will almost completely cover the Sun, which will bring impressive moments for observers.
It is worth remembering that the world is preparing for one of the most significant astronomical events of the century. On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Scientists predict that about 89 million people will be in the zone of totality, where the day will turn into mysterious twilight for a few minutes.
Here, the Moon will block the Sun for a total of 6 minutes and 23 seconds at the peak of the eclipse. This will be the longest eclipse on easily accessible land until at least 2114. Have you ever wondered what it's like to witness such a cosmic show? Will you see the sky the same way afterwards?