The final days of February 2026 are focusing public attention on the sky and upcoming calendar changes. Spanish media are analyzing in detail a rare parade of six planets that will cap off the month, while also announcing a March rich in astronomical events. Among them will be a lunar eclipse and the so-called Worm Moon. Simultaneously, the debate over the validity of the seasonal time change, which will occur at the end of the coming month, is resurfacing.
Parade of six planets
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will align in a single line at the end of February.
March astronomical events
The coming month will bring a lunar eclipse and the spectacular Worm Moon full moon.
Transition to daylight saving time
Another time change will occur in March, despite the ongoing discussion about its eventual abolition.
Energy price fluctuations
Significant differences in electricity costs depending on the time of day were recorded in Spain.
The end of February 2026 is becoming a moment of particular accumulation of astronomical and civilizational events. The main point of media interest is a unique planetary alignment, commonly called a planetary parade, in which Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will align almost in a single line relative to Earth. Although this phenomenon is a result of geometric arrangements in their orbits, it is generating immense interest among amateur skywatchers, especially in Spain, where meteorological conditions favor nighttime shows. Experts remind that while the largest planets will be visible to the naked eye just before dawn, spotting Neptune or Uranus will require specialized optical equipment. Conjunction phenomena and planetary alignments were already observed by ancient astronomers in Mesopotamia and Egypt, who attributed mystical significance to them. It was only in the 16th century, thanks to the heliocentric theory of Nicolaus Copernicus, that humanity understood these to be natural consequences of the orbital motion of celestial bodies in the Solar System. The upcoming March promises to be equally intense in terms of celestial phenomena. The occurrence of a full lunation known as Worm Moon and a lunar eclipse are predicted. These events will coincide with the annual transition to daylight saving time, scheduled for the last Sunday of March in 2026. In public debate, the question of the sense of this practice is once again being raised. „¿Será la última vez que movamos las manecillas del reloj?” (Will this be the last time we move the clock hands?) — 20 minutos Despite numerous reform proposals within the European Union, the time change system remains in place due to a lack of consensus on a unified time standard across the entire community. The seasonal time change was widely introduced in Europe in the 1970s, mainly as a response to the oil crisis, aimed at better utilizing daylight and saving electricity. In the economic sphere, residents of the Iberian Peninsula are grappling with dynamic changes in electricity prices. On Saturday, February 28th, significant fluctuations in rates per kilowatt-hour were recorded, forcing consumers to plan their electricity usage based on the hours of lowest tariffs. This situation, although local, fits into a broader European trend of seeking savings in the era of energy transition. Simultaneously, mass media are publishing horoscopes en masse, suggesting that despite scientific progress, a significant part of society still seeks answers about the future in traditional systems of interpreting fate, especially in the context of interpersonal relationships and financial stability in the new month.
Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the scientific aspects of astronomical phenomena and the health benefits of abandoning the time change. Conservative media more often focus on traditional lifestyle, horoscopes, and practical advice regarding energy bills.