6 planets to align in Arizona on the evening of Feb. 28

A planetary alignment involving six planets is expected to be best visible in Arizona on the evening of Feb. 28, with twilight timing, cloud cover and local light pollution affecting whether all planets can be seen.

A group of six planets in the solar system will appear along the ecliptic and reach a noticeable alignment at the end of February. Stargazers often call this a "planet parade," though NASA notes that is not a formal astronomical term. Seeing six planets together is uncommon, and not all of them are likely to be visible to the unaided eye. The event is expected to be best observed during twilight after sunset on Saturday, Feb. 28. Key details: - Best viewing time is the evening of Saturday, Feb. 28, during twilight after sunset and before full nightfall. - NASA warned that not all six planets will be visible to the naked eye; visibility depends on each planet's position and brightness. - The article notes Saturn will drop toward the horizon with Neptune nearby, Venus and Mercury will appear in the west to southwest, Jupiter will be high in the sky, and Uranus will lie south of Jupiter. - Cloud cover could hamper the view; the National Weather Service published a cloud-cover graphic for the evening of Feb. 28. - The article lists 22 designated dark sky locations in Arizona and cites DarkSky International as a resource for finding low-light sites. Summary: This alignment offers an opportunity for observers in Arizona to see multiple planets arrayed along the ecliptic, though the number visible without optical aid may be limited. Best viewing is the evening of Feb. 28 during twilight; actual visibility will depend on local cloud cover and light pollution, and further local forecasts will determine conditions.