Humanity has gazed at the stars for millennia, tracking their changes to understand what they mean. Today, NASA plans multiple Artemis missions to the moon, yet celestial events still captivate us worldwide. One such event is the 'Planetary Parade' on February 28, where six planets will be visible after sunset—four with the naked eye. Your iPhone or Android device is perfect for this, thanks to planet discovery apps and photography features.
Using your phone's camera with night mode and manual focus allows you to snap great pictures. The six planets—Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune, Mercury, and Venus—will parade from east to west along the ecliptic. To watch, go outside within 30 minutes of sunset in an open area away from lights and obstacles like trees or buildings. Mercury and Venus will be low in the west, while Uranus and Jupiter will be higher.
Of the six planets, four are visible without optics; for Uranus and Neptune, use binoculars or a telescope. But phones have apps like Star Walk 2 Plus, which lets you point your device at the sky to locate planets. Start by spotting bright Jupiter and Venus. For photos, use a tripod, lock focus, and set long exposure in a dark setting. If you miss February 28, try the following nights. Enjoy the parade!