Venus, Jupiter and Mercury to form planet parade in June. How to see it

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAYMon, June 8, 2026 at 1:35 PM UTC

0

It's time for stargazers to start making their plans to see an uncommon spectacle in the night sky as three planets are due for a June celestial get-together.

First, it will be Venus and Jupiter meeting up to form what astronomers refer to as a conjunction. Then, Mercury will join the party for a multi-day three-planet parade visible across the United States.

The striking cosmic phenomenon presents spectators with a rare opportunity to see multiple planets appear close together in the night sky – at least, from Earth's vantage. Venus, which is fresh off a rendezvous with the moon, is a frequent visitor in Earth's night sky, as is Jupiter.

But it's not often that Mercury makes an appearance, and it's less common that more than two planets appear together at once. In short, you won't want to miss the show.

Here's everything to know about a conjunction and a planet parade, as well as when, how and where you can see each phenomenon within the next week.

3I/ATLAS: SETI finds no evidence of alien tech on 3I/ATLAS interstellar comet

What is a conjunction?

A conjunction is an astronomical event in which at least two planets – and, often, also the moon – appear to our vantage from Earth to be close together in the sky.

Even though the planets are in reality still tens of millions – or even billions – of miles apart, the events present a special opportunity for astronomers and casual stargazers to see multiple worlds in our solar system at one time.

So, what causes conjunctions to take place?

As planets in our solar system orbit the sun at varying speeds, sometimes their orbital paths bring them close together on the same side of the sun. When this event lines up with our view from Earth, we get a conjunction, according to the nonprofit Planetary Society.

When is the conjunction? Venus, Jupiter 1st to appear together in sky

Venus and Jupiter are photographed together in the night sky during a previous conjunction involving the two planets.

Venus and Jupiter are due to have a cosmic meetup that should be visible starting Tuesday, June 9, NASA said in a monthly skywatching guide.

Those who look up that night have not only a chance at seeing Venus – one of the brightest objects in the sky, after the sun – but the largest planet in our solar system: the gas giant Jupiter.

Mercury to join Venus, Jupiter for planet parade

Mercury will join the party between June 11-15, creating a phenomenon often known colloquially as a planet parade.

While seeing Jupiter and Venus is not all that noteworthy, Mercury, which takes 88 days to orbit the sun, is an uncommon sight from Earth.

Advertisement

What is a planet parade?

While the term "planet parade" is not an official astronomy term, it is an unofficial way for astronomers and stargazers to refer to certain celestial events.

The planets in our solar system orbit the sun essentially along a line across the sky in a flat disc-shaped plane called the ecliptic.

Another term for a certain kind of planetary alignment, planet parades are what happens when planets line up along the ecliptic in a straight line and appear to us on Earth to be marching across the night sky, according to NASA. So, while planetary alignments themselves aren't special, it is notable to have an opportunity to observe multiple planets at once.

How full will the moon be? What to know about lunar phase

During the second week of June, the moon will be entering a waning crescent phase before we have a new moon Sunday, June 14, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. That means Earth's only natural satellite is getting less and less full each night as its crescent gets thinner and thinner, NASA explains.

In other words, the moon is not a threat to outshine any of the three planets.

Where, how can you see conjunction, planet parade?

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the United States, spotting the conjunction shouldn't prove too difficult. Simply look west after sunset to see the Venus and Jupiter pairing.

This graphic from NASA should help skygazers spot Venus and Jupiter on June 9 in the pre-dawn sky during an event known as a planetary conjunction.

The same applies later in the week when Mercury forms a parade of planets with the other two planets.

Because Mercury will sit lower toward the horizon, "you will need a clear view to the west to catch it in the glow of twilight," NASA said in a video.

This graphic from NASA shows where in the sky to look for a planet parade involving Venus, Jupiter and Mercury in June.

To have the best chance of viewing the planetary alignment, find a spot free of light pollution and a view of the horizon without obstructions like trees or tall buildings.

Want to find a dark area near you? DarkSky International is a U.S nonprofit that maintains a list of designated dark sky communities around the world, including 176 in the United States.

Do you need a telescope to see planets form conjunction?

Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are among the five planets in our solar system visible without optical aid – along with Mars and Saturn.

Telescopes certainly will enhance the view but spectators don't need any equipment to spot the three planets in the pre-dawn sky.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 planets to appear together in June. What day, time to see conjunction

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Breaking”