Rare all-planet parade' to dazzle onlookers of the night skies this week

Forget weird sun protective glasses and solar eclipses, there’s a new space phenomenon in town.

It’s charted in the stars that all seven other planets will align to put on a celestial show, or “planetary parade,” for Earthlings starting this Friday, according to the Museum of Science in Boston. The rare spectacle is expected to be visible through Feb. 28.

A planetary parade isn’t a scientific term. It basically refers to the ability to see several planets in one night. A planetary alignment is where several planets assemble on one side of the sun.

Galaxy gazers can observe the event by looking up into dark skies around 45 minutes past sunset. The sun dips down in Boston just before 5:30 p.m. Friday. The parade will be visible from anywhere in the world.

Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury will shine bright enough for the naked eye to see, and you can catch glimpses of Uranus and Neptune with binoculars or a telescope.

Astrophiles can pinpoint the parade by looking for lights that float in a line, shine brighter than surrounding stars and radiate a steady light, according to the Museum of Science. Stargazing apps can also help you locate the planets.

All of our solar system’s planets won’t parade again until around March 31 or April 1, 2036.