KARACHI – Stargazers in Pakistan are in for a celestial treat as six planets of our solar system—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are set to align in a rare formation known as a “Planetary Parade” starting Saturday, February 28. According to Professor Dr. Javed Iqbal, Chairman of the Institute of Space Science and Technology at the University of Karachi, this astronomical phenomenon will be visible from Earth throughout early March, with February 28 marking its peak.
The best time to witness this event will be approximately 30 minutes after sunset, as the planets stretch across the sky from West to East. Dr. Iqbal explained that Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter will be visible to the naked eye, while the distant Uranus and Neptune will require a telescope or binoculars. The alignment will be spread from the western horizon (Mercury, Venus, and Saturn) towards the east (Jupiter), with Uranus positioned relatively higher in the southwestern sky.
The Karachi University Observatory will also be monitoring this rare event. However, for a clear view, citizens are advised that the visibility will depend heavily on favorable weather conditions and a smog-free sky.
