Did you miss the start of the planetary alignment last week? Well, don’t worry, you’ll still have a few more days to see it before the month is up. But this will be your last chance for the year.
Usually, people can look up at the bright sky and spot at least one planet. Two or three planets are also commonly hanging out in the night sky, according to NASA. But what about when four, five, or even six planets are visible?
Well, from Saturday, Aug. 16, to Wednesday, Aug. 20, six planets will be visible, according to Andrew Fazekas, the Communications Manager for Astronomers Without Borders.
Stargazers hoping to see all of the planets will have “a very short window of time” to do so, Fazekas said. As Mercury will be more difficult to see the further we get to the end of August, and only a few of the planets will be visible with the naked eye.
Here’s what you should know about the planetary alignment, also known as the planetary parade or planet parade, and what you need to see it.
Stargazers have another chance to view the planetary parade
The planet parade, where all six planets are aligned, started on Aug. 10. They include Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus.
For those behind, Aug. 16 to Aug. 20 will become crucial to stargazers scared of missing out, according to Fazekas.
From Aug. 19 and Aug. 20, the crescent moon will line up with Jupiter and Venus and be a “great guidepost” to help people spot the planets, Fazekas adds.
The planetary parade will be visible around 45 minutes before sunset and the next one won’t happen until Feb. 28, 2026, according to Starwalk.
What will you be able to see?
Six of the seven planets visible from Earth will be in the night sky if you’re looking at the right time.
“You can actually see all of them if you have, of course, binoculars and telescopes handy,” said Fazekas.
You will be able to see the following planets during the planetary parade:
Mercury– Visible to the naked eye, but binoculars will make it easier to spot.
Venus– Visible to the naked eye.
Jupiter– Visible to the naked eye.
Uranus– Binoculars are needed to see this planet.
Neptune– A small telescope might be needed to see this planet.
Saturn– Visible to the naked eye.
What do planets look like?
Fazekas asks would-be stargazers to be wary of what they see online, especially now, as content created by AI becomes more prominent.
Fazekas is worried people are “expecting too much. Because when you’re talking about planetary parade, people think, ‘oh, I’m going to see all these planets all together. I can’t believe I’m going to see all of these things.’ And really, to the untrained eye, the planets… just look like bright stars.”
What is a planetary parade?
When multiple planets are visible in the night sky, people refer to it as a planetary alignment or parade, according to Fazekas and NASA. They can create an optical illusion that looks like there is a straight line.
True planetary alignment is “virtually impossible.”
“The term planetary parade is a colloquial term. It’s not an official astronomical one,” said Fazekas. “It just simply means that the planets are visible in, generally, the same area of the sky.”
What equipment do you need to view a planetary parade?
Certain planets will only be visible with binoculars or a small telescope.
Those interested in purchasing equipment should steer clear of telescopes that cost less than $500 and opt for Celestron, Robert Lunsford, the American Meteor Society’s newsletter editor and fireball report coordinator, told USA TODAY.
He advises beginners to opt for a telescope with a lens instead of a mirror, and for those seeking a more affordable option, he recommends purchasing a pair of binoculars instead.
Tips for viewing the planetary parade
Fazekas advises people to do the following when trying to see the planets in the coming days:
Get up early, before sunrise. Be at the stargazing location ready to see the planets at least 45 minutes before the sun rises.
Find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern and southern horizon.
Steer clear of light pollution and move away from cities.
Have your binoculars or telescope ready to view planets that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Use stargazing apps like Stellarium or Sky Safari.
Also, be sure to pack any mosquito repellent and check the weather ahead of time to make sure skies are clear.
Contributing: Carlie Procell, Janet Loehrke; USA TODAY
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Planet parade August 2025: See the planets align
