UP to host ‘Parada ng mga Planeta’ viewing event for rare celestial alignment

The University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP NISMED) will host Parada ng mga Planeta on Friday, 28 February, offering the public a chance to witness a rare planetary alignment.

The event, scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at UP NISMED's observatory in Quezon City, will feature telescope viewings of seven planets appearing in the night sky in a full planetary alignment. The celestial display includes Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn, marking the last time for the next 15 years that all will be visible at once.

Planetary alignments of four or five planets occur periodically, but an alignment of six or seven is an exceptionally rare event. While six planets are already visible in the night sky, Mercury will complete the alignment on 28 February.

Notably, Neptune and Uranus will require binoculars or a telescope for viewing.

The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers advise attendees to prepare for long lines due to high interest, as tickets on the event’s registration page are nearly sold out. You can register for the event here.

In case of unfavorable weather, possible cancellations and updates will be posted on UP NISMED Observatory’s Facebook page.