Planet-gazers, you’re in for a real treat this week. For the last time until 2040, a whopping five planets will be visible in alignment in the night sky. That’s right – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be on display for all to see.
And not only will all these planets be visible, but you’ll be able to view them in the same sequence of their respective orbits around the sun. Each one will ‘rise’ from the horizon, with the furthest-out coming first. Pretty cool, eh?
All this is going to be clearest before dawn on both June 23 and 24, but where you’ll have to look to see it depends on where you are. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, you’ll need to look towards the horizon on the east and southeast. Southern hemisphere people, you’ll be looking at the eastern and northeastern horizon.
Of course, if you want to see the alignment it’ll mean you have to get up mega early (we are near the summer solstice, after all), but, we assure you, it’ll certainly be worth it. And on top of the five-planet alignment, on June 24 you’ll also have the best views of the waning crescent moon – y’know just to make the whole thing even more spectacular.
So, what are you waiting for? Dig out yer telescope and get gazing!
ICYMI: here’s our guide to the most spectacular astronomical events of 2022.