Jeddah Astronomy Society clarifies the truth about the planetary gathering in February 2026

The Jeddah Astronomical Society issued an important and scientific clarification to respond to the rumors circulating widely on social media platforms, which promote the occurrence of a "rare planetary gathering" or an exceptional alignment of planets on February 28, 2026, and the accompanying claims about possible catastrophic effects on planet Earth.

The truth about the phenomenon: an optical illusion, not a physical alignment

Engineer Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, confirmed that what will occur on the aforementioned date is not a straight alignment of the planets, as some might imagine, but rather a purely optical phenomenon known as "apparent angular convergence." This phenomenon occurs because all the planets in the solar system revolve around the sun in approximately the same plane called the ecliptic. Due to the varying speeds at which each planet orbits the sun, their positions sometimes coincide, making them appear to an observer on Earth as if they are clustered in a single area of ​​the sky, while in reality, they are separated by vast distances of millions of kilometers in deep space.

Details of the celestial scene in February 2026

From an observational perspective, Abu Zahra explained that talk of seeing a "planetary chain" with the naked eye is inaccurate. On the evening of February 28, 2026, the situation will be as follows:

• Mercury and Saturn: They will be very close to the sun's glare and will disappear quickly after sunset, making it almost impossible to see them with the naked eye.
• Uranus and Neptune: These planets are very faint and can only be seen using telescopes or astronomical binoculars.
• Venus and Jupiter: These are the only two celestial bodies that will appear clearly and relatively brightly on the western horizon.

Debunking the myths about earthquakes and the effect of gravity

In refuting rumors linking planetary movements to natural disasters, the head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society emphasized that this alignment has no physical impact on Earth. He pointed to a well-established scientific fact: the gravitational forces of the planets—even when aligned—remain extremely weak and negligible compared to the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, which are responsible for tides. He categorically denied the existence of any scientific or statistical evidence linking planetary alignments to earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, describing such claims as mere astrology, unrelated to astronomy.

The importance of the event: an educational opportunity, not a harbinger of doom

The association concluded its statement by emphasizing that such astronomical events, although recurring every few years with varying intensity, represent a remarkable educational opportunity for amateur astronomers and the general public. They help in understanding the mechanics of the solar system and how celestial bodies move in their orbits, and they encourage contemplation of the grandeur of the universe, free from media hype and misinformation.