MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
This February, a rare planetary parade will line up bright planets over the UAE, offering the perfect opportunity for sunset stargazing and astrophotography until the 28th.
Astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike have a short but spectacular window to witness the event.
Speaking with Aletihad, Khadijah Hasan Ahmad, Operations Manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, said that the parade is best observed right at sunset.
"The planets closest to the Sun, like Mercury, Venus, Neptune and Saturn begin setting shortly after, so the viewing window is roughly 30 to 60 minutes after sunset," she explained.
Brighter planets such as Jupiter and Uranus, however, remain visible later into the evening.
Best Viewing Spots in the UAE
Not all planets are visible to the naked eye, according to Ahmad.
Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are easy to spot without equipment, but Uranus and Neptune require telescopes and dark skies.
Mars, in this particular parade, sets before the Sun and will not be visible at all.
For the clearest view, a location with a wide, unobstructed western horizon is crucial.
"Desert areas outside the cities or open beaches work well," Ahmad said.
In Abu Dhabi, remote desert locations or coastal areas away from city lights are ideal. Essentially, the darker the sky and the clearer the horizon, the better the experience.
Photography Tips
Ahmad advises anyone wanting to capture the event to bring a tripod and a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a zoom lens of 70–200mm or longer.
Suggested settings include a moderate ISO (400–800), wide aperture (f/2.8–f/5.6), and short exposures to avoid star trails.
Apps like Stellarium or SkyView can help locate the planets, she said.
For livestreaming, stability and focus are key, Ahmad added. A telescope with a planetary camera or smartphone adapter can improve quality.
She also recommends taking video and combining the best frames with free software like RegiStax or AutoStakkert to enhance clarity.
"The higher the planet in the sky, the better the image, as you are shooting through less atmosphere," she noted.
Why It's Worth Watching
Planetary parades are more than just visually impressive.
"They demonstrate the shared plane of our solar system and help people understand orbital mechanics, planetary positions, and the structure of our solar system in a practical and engaging way," Ahmad said.
While the planets are not physically close to each other in space, seeing six planets aligned in the same region of the sky is a relatively uncommon treat and a strong educational opportunity for anyone looking up at the stars, she added.