February says goodbye with a unique planetary alignment. The clouds will complicate their observation this Fridaybut we must not get impatient because all the planets will continue to align a week. These are some of the applications and tools that we can use to guide ourselves in the night sky.
What you have to know about planetary alignment
The Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands has prepared A guide about what you have to know of this planetary alignment. Although the planets are not in a straight line with respect to the sun, they occupy positions to the same side of the star, which allows us to see them reasonably aligned in the night sky.
From February 28 and for a week, all the planets of the Solar System will be visible after sunset. Then, Saturn will be obfuscated by the brightness of the sun, followed by Venus and Mercury in mid -March. Of the eight planets, five will be visible to the naked eye (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) and two, with the help of telescopes (Uranus and Neptune). The eighth is the earth. Finally, the moon will also add to the parade:
Finding Venus is easy, the brightest object located at medium height west. Jupiter, also brilliant, you will almost have it in the vertical to the sunset, and following the line to the east you will find Mars, bright and reddish. Mercury will be close to the west horizon, and Saturn, weaker and difficult to see between Mercury and the horizon. As of February 28, the Moon will make an appearance, increasing its day by day as usual.
Applications to find the seven planets
Image: Star Walk
Star Walk 2
It is an interactive guide of the night sky that uses mobile sensors to show a map of the sky in real time. It has an increased mode of reality that overlaps constellations and planetary positions in the view of the camera.
It includes detailed information of more than 200,000 celestial objects and an astronomical calendar that highlights events such as conjunctions and planetary alignments. It also sends notifications of important astronomical events.
Available in iOS and Android. Free with ads or unique payment to delete ads
Sky Tonight
It is one of the same developers as Star Walk. It has a customizable interface to adjust the visualization of constellations and program reminders for celestial events. It also has augmented reality, astronomy news and a heavenly calendar with outstanding events. Its “visible tonight” section indicates which planets, stars or objects of deep space can be observed from our location.
Available in iOS and Android. Free with payment options within the app
Skysafari
A powerful planetary application with a large database of stars, planets and objects of deep space. It includes all known objects of the Solar System and is famous for its precision in the simulation of the night sky.
It has advanced planning tools and even offers telescope control, which makes it ideal for a bit more advanced amateur astronomers. The “The best of tonight” function highlights the most interesting celestial objects visible on a certain night, perfect for following planetary alignments.
Basic version available in iOS and Android for 5.99 euros
Stellarium Mobile
A famous open source planetary software carrier for the phone. It shows a realistic and real time, as would be seen with the naked eye or with prismatic. You just have to point to the night sky to identify stars, planets, constellations and satellites or space stations. Your interface is minimalist and easy to use. The free version is sufficient for beginners, but the Plus version unlocks a larger database.
Available in iOS and Android. Free with more complete payment version
Skyview
An intuitive app that uses the phone camera to overlap the sky with stars labels, planets and satellites in augmented reality. It also allows you to program alerts for astronomical events, such as the passage of the International Space Station or planetary alignments such as this. It works without internet connection.
Available in iOS and Android. Free with more complete payment version
Web tools to use from the browser
If you prefer not to install apps, you can use the Stellarium web version. Simulates the night sky on any date and location and allows you to move forward or go back in time to see how the sky changes, ideal to plan the observation of planetary alignment according to meteorology
Another useful tool is Time and Datein which we can enter a city and date to see which planets will be visible and what time they will appear.
Finally, the Swiss razor of amateur astronomers: the online planetarium Beskylivewith information on conjunctions, eclipses and planetary transits. It also allows you to adjust the view of the sky according to date and location.
Image | IAC, Stellarium
In Xataka | Planet alignment of February 28, 2025: What is it and how you can see it