In June 2024, skywatchers will be treated to a rare celestial spectacle as six planets line up in the pre-dawn sky. This planetary alignment, which includes Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, is a result of the planets’ orbits lying roughly along the same flat plane around the Sun, known as the ecliptic.
Why the Lineup?
Our solar system is pretty flat, with all the planets orbiting the Sun in a plane called the ecliptic. Since we see the planets from Earth, they also appear to follow this path across the sky. When everything falls into place, we can witness several planets lined up in a beautiful row.
When and Where to See the Alignment
The best date to witness this alignment is June 3, 2024, when all six planets will form a straight line stretching across the eastern sky before sunrise.
However, the ideal viewing date may vary slightly depending on your location. Here are some key dates for different regions:
São Paulo: May 27 (43-degree sky sector)
Sydney: May 28 (59-degree sky sector)
Mexico: May 29 (65-degree sky sector)
Abu Dhabi: May 30 (68-degree sky sector)
Hong Kong: May 30 (67-degree sky sector)
Athens: June 2 (72-degree sky sector)
Tokyo: June 2 (73-degree sky sector)
New York: June 3 (73-degree sky sector)
The alignment will be visible from almost everywhere in the morning hours, but tall buildings or mountains near your location may obstruct the view. Use a sky mapping app like Sky Tonight to check the positioning of the planets from your specific location on the desired date.
Viewing Tips
About 20 minutes before sunrise on June 3, all six planets should be visible, with Jupiter on the eastern horizon, followed by Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn highest in the sky.
While Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn will be easily visible to the naked eye, you’ll need binoculars or a telescope to spot the fainter Uranus and Neptune.
The waning crescent Moon will also join the planetary lineup on June 3, appearing to the lower left of Mars. However, the Moon’s orbit is tilted slightly from the ecliptic, so it won’t perfectly align with the planets.
In the following days, the alignment will shift slightly, with Mercury moving closer to Jupiter on June 4, and the nearly new Moon appearing above the pair on June 5.
While the alignment won’t last forever, it’s an excellent opportunity to observe multiple planets in a single glance, a sight that won’t occur again until 2040.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a stunning display of our solar system! Bundle up, grab your binoculars (if you have them), and head outside to enjoy this celestial ballet in the early morning sky.
