Six planet alignment: This weekend, Ireland’s night sky is set for one of the most spectacular celestial shows of the decade. On Saturday 28 February 2026, six planets will appear aligned across the evening sky in a stunning “planetary parade”. These planets are Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Four of these worlds will be visible to the naked eye, while the fainter outer planets can be spotted with a good pair of binoculars under Irish skies. It’s a rare treat that astronomy lovers across the country (and the world) have been marking in their calendars.
Whether you’re in Dublin, Cork, Galway or the wild west of Kerry, here’s everything you need to know to catch this breathtaking event from the Emerald Isle.
What Exactly is the 2026 Planetary Parade?
A planetary alignment (often called a “planet parade” or “planetary lineup”) happens when several planets appear close together along the ecliptic. This is the apparent path of the Sun across our sky. On 28 February, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter will all be visible above the horizon at the same time shortly after sunset.
They won’t form a perfectly straight line in space (that’s impossible), but from Earth they’ll look beautifully grouped along a sweeping arc from low in the west to high in the southeast — creating one of the most photogenic sky events of 2026.
Six planet alignment: Which Planets Will Be Visible from Ireland?
Naked-eye planets (bright and easy under clear skies):
Venus: the brightest “star” in the west
Jupiter: high and brilliant in the southeast (possibly with the Moon nearby for extra wow factor)
Saturn: yellowish and steady
Mercury: lowest and trickiest, hugging the western horizon just after sunset
Binocular or telescope planets: Uranus and Neptune. Faint blue-green dots that pop beautifully under dark skies.
Pro tip for Irish viewers: The alignment stretches across a huge portion of the sky, so you’ll want a wide, unobstructed view of the western horizon.
Best Time to View the Alignment in Ireland
- Date: Saturday 28 February 2026 (also excellent on the 27th and 29th if clouds spoil the main night)
- Sunset in Dublin: approximately 6:01 pm
- Best viewing window: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm local time (Ireland is on GMT in February)
- Look west to southeast as soon as the sky darkens enough.
The further west you are in Ireland, the slightly later the planets will set, giving you a few extra minutes of viewing time.
Six Planet Alignment: Top Dark-Sky Locations in Ireland for the Best View
Ireland’s famously changeable weather means light pollution and clouds are the biggest obstacles. So head to one of these certified dark-sky gems for maximum impact:
- Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve (County Kerry) – Ireland’s first Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve and the only one of its kind in the Northern Hemisphere. Perfect for the Wild Atlantic Way backdrop.
- Mayo Dark Sky Park (County Mayo) – Recently crowned International Dark Sky Park of the Year, with some of the darkest skies in Europe inside Wild Nephin National Park.
- OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland) – Excellent facilities and events.
- Other great spots: Connemara, the Wicklow Mountains, Donegal, the Burren in Clare, and rural parts of the Midlands.
Irish Stargazing Tips for February 28th
- Wrap up warm, February nights are cold and damp!
- Download a free stargazing app like Star Walk 2, SkySafari or Stellarium to identify the planets in real time.
- Give your eyes 20–30 minutes to dark-adapt (no phone screens!).
- If it’s cloudy in your area, check the Met Éireann radar and have a backup plan. The alignment is visible for a few evenings either side.
- Join a local event: Astronomy Ireland, local astronomy clubs and the dark-sky reserves often host public viewing sessions.
News for Irish Skywatchers
With growing light-pollution awareness and Ireland’s fantastic network of dark-sky reserves, events like this remind us how lucky we are to still have genuinely dark skies on our doorstep. Ancient Irish sites like Newgrange were built to celebrate the Sun and stars, and this weekend we get to continue that 5,000-year-old tradition of looking up in wonder.
