Stargazers in Chicago have something to look forward to during the last week of February—6 planets in our solar system will be visible from Earth in what’s known as a “planetary parade.”
Here’s some fun facts about the celestial phenomenon and how to get the best view from the Windy City!
All about this month’s planetary parade
A planetary parade occurs when multiple planets in our solar system align in orbit.
Such alignments aren’t necessarily rare but are somewhat uncommon, typically happening a few times a year, according to Space.com
During this month’s parade of the planets, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, according to NASA. Uranus and Neptune will also be visible with the assistance of a telescope.
Peak visibility of all 6 planets will occur on Saturday, February 28, barring cloudy conditions.
Where to see it in Chicago
For the best view of the planetary parade, you’ll want to head to an area with minimal light pollution and obstructions.
In Chicago there’s arguably no better spot than the lakefront.
Spots like the Montrose Moonrise Observation Point and Adler Planetarium peninsula provide sweeping views of the sky and little light interference.