5 planets, moon will align in sky after summer solstice

Five planets are visible in the night sky for the first time in about two decades, and they will be lined up with the moon later this month.

The last time Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were visible at the same time was in 2004, according to the American Astronomical Society (AAS). All five can be seen with the naked eye, without a telescope, under the right conditions.

The moon will slide in between Venus and Mars on June 24, which will make it a picturesque proxy for the Earth.  

The aligned planets are best viewed about 45-60 minutes before sunrise on cloud-free mornings through the rest of June, according to UPI.

June has some of the earliest sunrises in the year because of the June solstice, the time of year when the sun is the furthest north relative to the Earth’s celestial center, meaning the optimal viewing time may land before 5 a.m.

AAS says that Mercury will be the toughest to spot because it is lowest on the horizon, meaning skywatchers will need a view free of trees, buildings and other impediments. It is also closest to the sun, making it the first planet to disappear from view as it rises.  

UPI recommends using the much brighter Venus and other planets as a guide to spotting Mercury.

The most “compelling” planetary lineup will be on the morning of June 24.

“To begin with, Mercury will be much easier to snag, making the five-planet parade that much more accessible. And you’ll have about an hour to enjoy the sight, from when Mercury pops above the horizon to when the rising Sun washes it out of the sky,” said AAS.  

“But the real bonus is the waning crescent Moon positioned between Venus and Mars, serving as a proxy Earth.”

The five planets appear in a straight line only from Earth, as they are actually spread far apart in the solar system. They will not appear in the night sky in this order again until 2040.