Colombia will be able to see the alignment of seven planets on February 28: date and time of the event

This Friday, February 28 , Colombians will be able to witness a rare astronomical event: the alignment of seven planets in the solar system. This phenomenon, known as the “Great Parade of Planets,” will not occur again until the year 2492, according to astronomy experts.

The planets participating in this alignment will be Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Although the term “alignment” may suggest that they will be perfectly aligned, in reality, from Earth’s perspective, they will appear to be located in the same area of ​​the sky.

Some of these planets will be visible to the naked eye, such as Venus, Mars and Jupiter, which stand out for their brightness. However, to observe Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Mercury, the use of binoculars or telescopes is recommended, since their visibility will depend on factors such as light pollution and weather conditions.

Astronomers recommend looking toward the western horizon shortly after sunset, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. For the best view, it's ideal to find a spot with little light pollution and a clear horizon.

Residents of rural areas or those far from large cities will have a better chance of observing the phenomenon. However, in cities such as Bogotá, Medellín or Cali, it will also be possible to see it, although with greater difficulty due to artificial lighting.

The last time a similar phenomenon occurred was in June 2022, when five planets aligned in the sky. However, an alignment of seven planets is even more exceptional. This event will not occur again under these conditions until the year 2492.

These types of planetary alignments occur due to the orbital dynamics of the planets around the Sun. Although in practice the planets are not in a straight line, from the Earth's perspective they appear to be closer to each other in the night sky.

For those who wish to take advantage of this unique opportunity, experts suggest using astronomy apps, such as SkyView or Stellarium, which allow you to identify planets in real time. Binoculars or small telescopes are also recommended to improve visibility of the less bright planets.

Although the event can be seen anywhere in the world with clear skies, in Colombia visibility is expected to be favorable in several regions, especially in those with less cloud cover.

On February 28, millions of people around the world will be able to marvel at the majesty of the solar system. The invitation is to go outside, look up at the sky and enjoy an astronomical spectacle that will not be repeated for centuries.

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