Pakistan’s national space agency has confirmed a ‘Parade of the Planets’ will be visible in the sky from late February 2026.
The event will allow people to see four or more planets lined up in the same celestial path, a rare and impressive astronomical event.
The agency urged skygazers to capitalise on pristine and moderately pollution-free conditions for viewing the phenomenon with naked eye.
Planets that can be seen from Pakistan
Observation of the planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible without telescopes, while Venus will be visible with small telescopes, according to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO).
Mercury too may be visible under favourable conditions but Uranus and Neptune will need high-powered binoculars or telescopes to see.
Mars will be seen near the eastern horizon in the constellation of Gemini while Jupiter will shine brightly in Taurus next to the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters.
Saturn and Venus will also be involved in the alignment, as will be seen in the west after sunset.
How to Observe the Alignment?
SUPARCO advised people to use free stargazing applications that make it easy to identify planets and constellations with it.
By holding a smartphone up to the sky, users will be able to spot objects in the sky and learn what their positions are.
Clear western horizons and dark skies will be favourable for observation.
Observers are advised that looking at the Sun through telescopes should be avoided.
Why Planet Alignments Occur?
Planet parades happen because planets orbit our Sun on more or less the same flat plane which is known as the ecliptic.
Although such events generate excitement, experts clarify that planets are not perfectly lined up in a straight row but appear clustered along the sky’s curved orbital path.
Also read: SUPARCO hits key milestone in space program
