Overview:
Skywatchers across the United States observed a planetary parade in February 2026 as Jupiter, Uranus and Saturn appeared in a loose alignment in the western evening sky. Jupiter shone brightly beside a crescent moon, while Uranus and Saturn were also visible under favorable viewing conditions. The event highlighted the ongoing motion of the solar system and provided a notable winter sky display for observers.
Skywatchers across the United States turned their eyes to the western and southern skies Tuesday evening. A rare planetary alignment — often referred to as a “planetary parade” — featured Jupiter, Uranus and Saturn appearing in the same region of the night sky Tuesday evening.
A similar multi-planet alignment is expected in February 2026.
Jupiter Steals the Show Beside the Moon
Photo by Maria Cornejo
The highlight of the evening was Jupiter, which appeared near a bright crescent moon shortly after sunset. Onlookers noted that the moon was roughly two-thirds illuminated.
Jupiter, the biggest planet in our solar system, was visible as a bright white and orange-colored point of light. With a magnitude of approximately -2.47, it was easily visible to the naked eye. It stood out as one of the brightest objects in the sky. Around 8:43 p.m. Pacific Time, Jupiter could be seen positioned above and slightly to the right of the moon in the southern sky. Many astronomers are already looking ahead to the planetary parade February 2026, when Jupiter is expected to once again play a prominent role.
The alignment placed Jupiter in the constellation Gemini, also known as the “Twins.” The close proximity of the planet to the twin stars made it even more visually appealing.
Uranus and Saturn Enter the Scene
Photo by Maria Cornejo
Although Jupiter was the center of attention, Uranus and Saturn were also part of the celestial lineup and are expected to participate in the planetary parade February 2026 as well.
The third-largest planet in the solar system, Uranus, was also higher in the southwestern sky. It had a magnitude of about 5.74. Uranus was much duller than Jupiter and required binoculars or a small telescope to observe.
Saturn, which was located lower in the western sky, had a brightness of magnitude 1.00. While it was brighter than most stars, it was smaller and less bright than Jupiter. Saturn was visible to the naked eye, though it appeared less brilliant than Jupiter and could be harder to distinguish in heavily light-polluted areas.
What Is a “Planetary Parade”?
Unlike rare tight planetary conjunctions, the three planets were not clustered closely together. Instead, they stretched across a wide portion of the sky in a loose alignment. Such “planetary parades” occur periodically as planets follow their orbital paths along the ecliptic — the same general path traveled by the moon and zodiac constellations. In fact, anticipation grows for the planetary parade February 2026, when yet another remarkable alignment is expected.
All three planets were visible shortly after sunset, though viewing conditions varied depending on local weather and light pollution levels.
Astronomy buffs also point out that events such as this serve as a reminder of the dynamic motion of the solar system. This motion can be observed without the need for any special equipment. While Jupiter and Saturn were visible to the naked eye, Uranus generally required binoculars or a small telescope under dark-sky conditions. In some cases, optical aid was also needed.
For many observers, the crescent moon alongside Jupiter provided the evening’s most striking view — a bright celestial pairing marking another notable night in the winter sky.
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available astronomical data and skywatching reports at the time of publication. Visibility of celestial events may vary depending on location, weather conditions and light pollution. Readers are encouraged to consult official astronomical sources for precise viewing times and conditions in their area.
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