Astronomers are calling it a “parade of planets,” as every planet in our solar system will be visible in the night sky this February, making it a rare astronomical event. Most of these planets can be seen with the naked eye except for Neptune and Uranus, which require a telescope and binoculars respectively.
According to astrophysicist Jackie Faherty at the American Museum of Natural History, people should head outside at sunset to catch a glimpse of the planets, which will set in a specific order. The first planet to appear is Mercury, followed by Saturn, then Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and finally Mars.
Faherty recommends using a calculator or resource like the Old Farmer’s Almanac to determine when each planet rises and sets. Some planets are easier to spot than others, with bright and beautiful Venus being one of them.
New Yorkers can use the moon as a guide to spot some of the planets. On February 1, Venus will appear just above the crescent moon, while on February 9, Mars will be near the moon. Don’t miss the constellation Orion, marked by the red star Betelgeuse, which is nearing the end of its life and could go nova in the next 200 years.
The best viewing times for the planets and stars are at the beginning and end of the month, when the full moon shines on February 12. This rare event also offers opportunities to observe the motion of the moon in relation to background stars. The Amateur Astronomers Association is hosting telescope viewing events during the first week of the month in Brooklyn, providing a chance for stargazers to experience this extraordinary phenomenon.
Source: https://gothamist.com/news/a-parade-of-planets-in-nycs-night-skies-for-february