Planetary parade is coming to Colorado’s night sky

I’ve been obsessed with planets and stars for as long as I can remember — so when I heard six planets are lining up in the sky at the end of February, I immediately started planning my little “go outside and stare up” moment. Sky-watchers call it a planetary parade, and the best part is you won’t need fancy equipment to catch most of it. 

Here’s what’s happening: six planets are linking up in the night sky. If we have clear skies, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn should be visible to the naked eye. Uranus and Neptune are part of the lineup too, but you’ll need binoculars or a telescope to spot them. 

The parade peaks Saturday, but it should be visible over the weekend and for several days after. Your best bet is to head outside about an hour after sunset. If you can, try to get away from tall buildings and trees that can block your view. Even a neighborhood park or any spot with a wide-open horizon helps. 

Then, look at the western sky. Near the horizon, you should spot Mercury, Venus and Saturn grouped lower. Jupiter will be higher up. Uranus and Neptune will be in that same general area, but you’ll need binoculars or a telescope to pick them out. 

One of my favorite simple tricks to tell if it’s a planet or a star comes from planetary scientist Sara Mazrouei of Humber Polytechnic in Canada: “If it’s twinkling, it’s a star. If it is not twinkling, it’s a planet.” 

If you need an excuse to step outside for a few minutes this weekend, this is it.