In the first week of June, stargazers will have the rare opportunity to witness an event where six planets align in the sky.
This event is known as the “planetary parade”. The six planets that will line up on June 3rd include Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Illustration of planets aligning on June 3 – (Image: India Today)
According to Fox5, planetary alignment is a term used to describe the positions of planets in the Solar System such that they appear to be on a straight line or close together when viewed from a specific point, in this case, Earth.
While it’s not uncommon for multiple planets to appear in the sky at the same time, it is relatively rare for many planets to align, as noted by ScienceAlert. Notably, five-planet alignments are more common than six-planet alignments.
During the event on June 3rd, the planets will line up stretching from the low eastern horizon, with Jupiter closest to the horizon, followed by Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn rising higher in the sky.
To best view the “planetary parade”, you need to find a location with a clear and unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. Additionally, choose a spot with low light pollution, such as rural areas or places with dark skies.
Illustration of the Sun and planets in the Solar System – (Image: Scientific American).
The best time to observe the “parade” is about 20 minutes before sunrise. This is when the six planets will be most visible, according to Astronomy magazine.
You can see Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Saturn with the naked eye, but you will need binoculars or a telescope to get a clear view of Uranus and Neptune.
Star-gazing apps can also enhance your experience. These apps help locate the planets and provide real-time sky maps to accurately identify their positions, rise, and set times.
If you miss the event on June 3rd, stargazers will still have opportunities to see the six planets align just before dawn on August 28, 2024, and January 18, 2025.
Additionally, on February 28, 2025, there will be a rare occurrence of seven planets visible in the sky simultaneously.
