A planetary parade is coming. Between June 2025 and March 2026, a series of rare planetary alignments will offer spectacular viewing opportunities for skywatchers around the world.
June 2025: Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury Conjunction
Event Timeline
Three planets—Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury—will appear close together in the western sky after sunset beginning in early June 2025. The conjunction begins on June 7 when Venus and Jupiter appear beside each other, and by June 10 they will appear nearly touching. Mercury will join Venus and Jupiter from June 11 to June 15, making three planets visible simultaneously. On June 16, a waxing crescent Moon will align with the planets, and on June 17, the Moon will appear above and to the left of Venus.
Scientific Context
Conjunctions occur when planets appear close in the sky from Earth's perspective. This event, informally called a planet parade, occurs when multiple planets appear along the ecliptic plane. Mercury, which orbits the Sun every 88 days, is less frequently visible from Earth. The Moon will be in a waning crescent phase approaching new moon on June 14, minimizing interference from moonlight.
Three planets—Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury—will appear close together in the western sky after sunset.
February-March 2026: Six-Planet Alignment
Event Overview
Six planets—Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, and Uranus—will be visible in the night sky in late February and early March 2026, forming a celestial alignment. This phenomenon results from the planets' orbital paths bringing them into a similar area of the sky from Earth's perspective. While two or three planets are commonly visible, alignments of four or five bright planets viewable without aid occur less frequently.
Visibility Dates
The planetary alignment will be observable around February 28, 2026, with optimal viewing dates varying by latitude. For observers in the Northern Hemisphere, the peak viewing window runs from February 28 into March 1. March 1 is reported as optimal for many locations in Asia, including Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo. Viewing opportunities generally last for weeks to over a month. Mercury is expected to no longer be visible by early March, but Venus and Saturn will be in close proximity on March 7 and 8.
Planet Visibility and Equipment Requirements
Naked-eye visibility:
- Venus: Reported as the brightest object after the sun and moon, appearing with a steady, brilliant white glow on the western horizon after sunset.
- Jupiter: Will be high and bright in the southeast near the constellation Gemini, remaining visible for hours. It can be located relative to Orion's Belt.
- Saturn: Will display a yellowish hue and will be fainter but visible to the naked eye low in the west near Venus during twilight.
- Mercury: The most challenging naked-eye planet, appearing white and low on the horizon, best viewed 30 to 60 minutes after local sunset.
Binoculars or telescope required:
- Uranus: Will be faint and located below the Pleiades open cluster in the constellation Taurus. It can be found by using Orion's Belt as a guide.
- Neptune: Reported as requiring a 6-inch telescope for clear viewing, especially during twilight. It is located in Aquarius.
Viewing Recommendations
The optimal viewing time is approximately 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At this point, the sky will be dark enough for planets to be visible, but the lowest planets will not yet have dipped below the horizon. Observers should seek locations with unobstructed western and southern horizons, away from tall buildings, trees, or hills. The planets will form a curved line across the sky along the ecliptic—the path the Sun follows.
Planets do not twinkle, while stars do. A clenched fist held at arm's length approximates 10 degrees of angular separation.
The alignment is visible globally, with optimal views during twilight hours. Viewing times are location-dependent, requiring planets to be approximately 10 degrees or higher above the horizon to avoid atmospheric obstruction. Using a smartphone astronomy app's red-light mode can help preserve night vision, and allowing five to ten minutes for eyes to adjust to the dark is advisable.
Additional Celestial Event
A total lunar eclipse, where the Moon will appear red (informally known as a "blood moon"), is scheduled for March 3, 2026. This event is reported to be visible in parts of Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.