Get ready for a celestial showstopper! Tomorrow night, six planets—Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn—will line up in a rare and dazzling alignment. This extraordinary event is set to light up the sky on June 3rd, but catching a glimpse of it will be a bit of a challenge.
“Seeing the alignment will indeed be challenging as it happens around sunrise and it’s all rather low in the East as well,” says Professor Danny Steeghs from the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick. This cosmic dance differs from a true astronomical alignment, where planets are positioned on the same side of the sun. For stargazers, this means a clear sky and a nearly flat western horizon are essential.
To maximize your chances of witnessing this planetary parade, make sure your view is free of obstructions like trees or buildings. Experts suggest using binoculars to enhance your viewing experience. However, spotting Uranus and Neptune might require some more advanced equipment. “Uranus and Neptune will be faint, so viewers will require good binoculars to see them,” Steeghs advises. “Jupiter and even Mercury are very close to the Sun, restricting their view. Mars and Saturn are the more accessible ones to view; you can see them ahead of the other planets rising and a bit higher in the sky.”
To help identify the planets, Professor Steeghs recommends using a stargazing app. One popular choice is “Sky Tonight,” which can be pointed at any part of the night sky to give a live display of the celestial happenings—even during daylight.
As the planets prepare for their grand alignment, it’s the perfect opportunity to dust off those binoculars and head to a vantage point with a clear eastern horizon. With a bit of luck and a lot of patience, you’ll be able to witness this rare and beautiful cosmic event. So set your alarms early, prepare your gear, and get ready for a stellar start to your day!
