Sky gazers around the globe have one last opportunity to observe a highly unusual celestial phenomenon happening rarely in the night sky: seven planets such as those in our solar system arranged in a row. This planetary spectacle has amazed observers all week, but by the time February wraps up the celestial show is passing.
The planetary spectacle will reach its peak on Friday, giving the best prospect of Mercury, which has been its highest point over the horizon. Following that, both Mercury and Saturn will drop too low and become too dim to easily be seen.
Venus, the brightest of the planets, is still a simple matter of locating in the western sky and Jupiter rules high overhead. Mars, shining with a reddish hue, is seen in the east and will be among the last to set before the sunrise. Uranus and Neptune, though on the lineup, are obscured, needing a telescope to be spotted. 
Astronomers recommend a dark spot at a low elevation away from buildings for the best view. Just after sunset, Mercury and Saturn can be seen near the horizon; the remainder of the planets slowly emerge in a beautiful arc in the sky.
Although planetary alignments happen from time to time, this event is special in that it includes all seven of them. This week’s concentration of celestial viewing will be the closest the planet’s mercury appears until five or more planets are visible together in the future until October 2028, making this week, hopefully, a once-in-a-lifetime sight for everyone.
