Could a giant planet between Mars and Jupiter have doomed Earth? A new study suggests that small changes would have been manageable, but a massive super-Earth could have made our planet uninhabitable — offering clues about where life might (or might not) exist beyond our solar system.

"It's like a game of billiards around the solar system, flying by a couple of planets at just the right angle and timing to build up the energy we need to get to Jupiter and Europa."

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Heads up, skywatchers: a planet alignment is up for viewing this weekend, with Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars all visible with the naked eye, according to NASA. However, along with Uranus, Neptune,

NASA’s Europa Clipper is using Mars and Earth’s gravity to travel efficiently to Jupiter. The spacecraft will study Europa’s ice and ocean.

While much of what you've been hearing about a "Planetary Parade," is pure hype, you still do have reason to look into the night sky Sunday.

March's skywatching includes a total lunar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse, planet sightings, and zodiacal light beaming from the horizon. Here are the dates to keep in mind.

On Feb. 28, seven planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn—will all grace the early evening sky. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be easy to spot with the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a small telescope.

Seven planets are on display in the night sky at the end of February, but some will be harder to spot than others. Here’s what you need to know to catch a glimpse.

Beginning around sunset, Saturn will be situated closest to the horizon, followed by Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Mars higher in the sky. While Neptune and Uranus also are within Earth’s line of sight, they’ll require binoculars or a telescope and are extremely difficult to locate, astronomers say.

Seven planets will line up for a "planet parade" on Friday, Feb. 28, as Mercury lines up with Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn.

After dusk on Friday night, seven planets are expected to align in the night sky. But you'll need binoculars or a telescope to see them all.