Starting from June 3rd, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be seen aligned in the sky with the naked eye.
This rare phenomenon has not occurred since December 2004, and this year, the distance between Mercury and Saturn will be closer, according to the space magazine Sky & Telescope.
Simulation of 5 planets aligned in the sky. (Image: CBC)
Editor Diana Hannikainen states that the best time to observe the 5 planets is within 30 minutes before dawn – the period from when Mercury first appears above the horizon until it is obscured by the bright light of the Sun.
The five planets will align in the order of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (from left to right) and can be seen with the naked eye, but Hannikainen recommends using binoculars for a clearer view.
“You don’t need to go anywhere special to witness this phenomenon as it is visible to everyone around the world,” CNN reports. The only requirement is a clear sky in the direction of observation.
Observers in the Northern Hemisphere can see the planets from the eastern horizon to the southeast, while those in the Southern Hemisphere can view them along the eastern horizon to the northeast.
“If you wake up and find clouds obscuring the sky, don’t worry as the event will last throughout June. On a clear early morning, step outside and enjoy the view,” Hannikainen shares.
