Six Planets Align Tonight in Rare Celestial Parade Visible from Portugal

Look up after sunset this evening and you may witness something that will not repeat for years: six planets of our solar system arranged in a sweeping arc across the sky, visible to the naked eye from anywhere in Portugal with clear skies.

The planetary parade -- featuring Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune -- reaches its peak alignment on February 28, though the display has been building for several days and will remain visible into early March. Of the six, four can be spotted without any equipment: Venus and Jupiter will shine brightly in the western sky after dusk, Saturn will appear lower on the horizon, and Mercury will hover near the sunset line for sharp-eyed observers. Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or a small telescope.

When and Where to Look

The best viewing window opens roughly 30 minutes after sunset -- around 6:45 PM in mainland Portugal today -- and lasts for approximately 90 minutes before Mercury and Saturn dip below the horizon. Face west and scan from the horizon upward. Venus will be the unmistakable beacon, with Jupiter positioned higher in the sky. The planets will stretch in a rough line from the southwestern to the western horizon.

Conditions in Portugal this evening look reasonably favourable, though coastal areas may contend with some cloud cover. Inland locations and elevated spots away from city light pollution will offer the best views. The Alentejo and Algarve countryside, the Serra da Estrela region, and the Azores are particularly well-positioned for dark-sky observation.

A Rare Configuration

While individual planets are visible throughout the year, having six aligned simultaneously on the same side of the sun is relatively uncommon. Astronomers note that the last comparable arrangement occurred in 2024, but with fewer planets visible to the naked eye. The next opportunity of this scale may not come until the 2030s.

The Observatorio Astronomico de Lisboa and several amateur astronomy groups across Portugal have organised informal viewing events for the occasion. Porto's Planetario and the Centro Ciencia Viva locations in Constancia and Lagos are also expected to host evening observation sessions, though visitors should check locally for confirmation.

Not to Be Confused

Despite social media hype, this is not the total solar eclipse that will cross parts of North America on March 29 -- an event that will not be visible from Portugal. Tonight's planetary alignment is a quieter spectacle, requiring patience and a clear horizon rather than eclipse glasses, but no less remarkable for anyone willing to step outside and look up.