UP NISMED ready for stargazing session to view rare planetary alignment

The University of the Philippines NISMED Observatory offers free stargazing session for astronomy lovers to view the rare alignment of planets.

The Parada ng mga Planeta 2025, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, will occur on the last day of Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars’ planetary alignment.

The UP NISMED offers a first-come, first-serve free 20-minute stargazing session using their telescopes at the roof deck.

The participants will be able to partake in four different viewing stations and may be able to receive tokens upon completing the event and providing evaluation of the activity.

The organization encourages participants to pre-register and bring a copy of their QR code and a proof of identity, as they would not be accepting walk-ins.

Parada ng mga Planeta 2025 now has a total of 4,000 registrants and is at full capacity.

According to PAGASA’s February astronomical diary, a rare phenomenon of all 7 planets in the solar system lining up has been from February 21 until February 28.

The planets Venus, Jupiter and Mars will be the three brightest planets in the line and will be easily observable through a telescope, while the rest of the planets may be harder to locate and view. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News