Five Planets to Align in the Sky This Month Will Be Visible With Naked Eyes Due to a Rare Conjunction: What to Look For.
The last time the five visible planets were aligned in the sky was in December 2004.
This June, skywatchers will be treated to the sight of five planets visible with the naked eye, grouped in their natural sequence from the Sun — from left to right as you scan the horizon. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the five planets. Just before the Sun rises and obscures the vista, the stunning celestial spectacle will be seen towards the eastern horizon. Those residing in the Northern Hemisphere will need to gaze east and south. Those in the Southern Hemisphere should look east and north for a beautiful vista.
It is not uncommon to see two or three planets close together in a conjunction. Conjunction of five planets, on the other hand, is highly rare. The last time the five visible planets were aligned was in December 2004. This series, however, will bring Mercury and Saturn much closer together.
While this arrangement should be visible throughout the month, Sky & Telescope points out a few key occasions.
The difference between Mercury and Saturn will be at its shortest on these two mornings: barely 91 degrees. Skywatchers will have less than half an hour — from the first appearance of Mercury above the horizon to become lost in the brightness of the rising Sun.
June 24: This morning’s planetary alignment is going to be much more compelling. Skywatchers will have an hour to take in this procession. Though Mercury and Saturn will be separated by 107 degrees, the main show will be the declining crescent Moon between Venus and Mars, which will act as a proxy for Earth.
Even if it’s overcast in certain areas on some days of the month, astronomers say there should be plenty of opportunities for everyone to see the five planets. So, get up early and travel to a spot with an unobstructed view of the horizon.