Early risers this week have the chance to witness a celestial spectacle as up to six planets will be visible in the pre-dawn sky in what is known as a “planet parade.” Currently, stargazers can spot Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn with the naked eye before sunrise. Mercury recently joined the other three planets, adding to the planetary parade. Although Mercury has been faint and low on the horizon, it is gradually becoming brighter each night and will reach its highest point above the horizon on Tuesday, August 19.
While Mercury will start descending toward the horizon later in the week, the opportunity to see all four planets together will only last a short while before Mercury disappears into the dawn glare. Unlike the four visible planets, Neptune and Uranus can only be observed through a telescope. Mars, on the other hand, will be barely visible in the western sky during evening twilight but will set shortly after nightfall.
Contrary to popular depictions, the planets in the “planet parade” won’t appear close together or stacked like bowling balls. Instead, they will be bright points of light, challenging observers to identify and appreciate their presence. The crescent moon will serve as a helpful guidepost, aligning with Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury on consecutive mornings, providing excellent photo opportunities for sky watchers.
For the best viewing experience, observers should look toward the eastern sky in the hour before dawn, with Mercury rising around 5 a.m. and reaching its peak visibility between 5:30 and 6 a.m. Venus and Jupiter will be higher in the sky, near the moon, while Saturn will be positioned high in the southern direction. Uranus will be close to the Pleiades star cluster, and Neptune will be in proximity to Saturn, both visible with binoculars.
The alignment of planets in the sky occurs due to their orbits lying in a flat plane similar to Earth’s orbit, creating the illusion of a lineup when viewed from our planet. These rare “planet parades” occur every few years to once a decade, with 2025 hosting the second such event. However, sky watchers can anticipate another planetary alignment in October 2028, offering a chance to witness all five naked-eye visible planets together before sunrise.
