02/16/2026
On February 18 and 19, step outside at dusk and look toward the southwest horizon for a rare and beautiful alignment. Five bright objects will be easy to spot with the naked eye under clear conditions.
On February 18, the thin crescent Moon will sit low in the sky near brilliant Venus, which will shine the brightest of the group. Mercury will be nearby, though fainter and a little harder to notice in the fading light. Higher above them, Saturn will glow steadily, and far above the rest, Jupiter will stand out clearly and brightly
On February 19, the Moon will shift upward and appear close to Saturn, creating a striking pairing. Venus will remain lower in the sky, Mercury will still be faint but visible, and Jupiter will continue shining high overhead.
No special equipment is needed. Just find a clear view of the horizon and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust.