Patient skywatchers offered a better sequel at end of the month
The upcoming June 3 planet parade, where multiple neighbouring worlds in our solar system will align in the early morning sky, has received a lot of media buzz. However, the excitement is unfortunately exaggerated for a few reasons.
First the facts of what this sky event is about.
- Six planets will appear lined up in Earth’s sky above the east and southeastern horizon at dawn the first few days of June 2024.
- From east to south, the planets will be Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune and Saturn.
- All the planets will appear strung along a line called the ecliptic – the pathway all the planets follow in our skies. It represents the plane of our solar system and appears as an imaginary line running east to south to west .
And here is why it is overhyped…
- Spread Across the Sky: Unlike a tightly packed formation, the planets will be spread out across a large portion of the sky – from east to south. This means you won’t see them all lined up in a single, dramatic view. Instead, they’ll appear more dispersed, making the event less visually striking than some media reports suggest.
- Visibility Issues: The best time to view this alignment is just before dawn, which requires early rising and clear skies. Also the planets Jupiter, Mercury and Uranus in early June will be huddled very close to the rising sun, making them near impossible to hunt down due to the bright glare at dawn. The planets Uranus and Neptune can only be spotted at least an hour before sunrise while it is still dark enough to see these super-faint planets. At that same time however, it is too early to try spotting Jupiter, Mercury and Uranus because they have not risen above the horizon yet. So it’s impossible to see all 6 worlds at the same time. Additionally, light pollution in urban areas can significantly diminish visibility, making it difficult for many to see the planets clearly.
- Not a Rare Event: While planet parades are interesting, they’re not as rare as total solar eclipses or other major astronomical events. Similar alignments happen every few years, so this isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
- Astronomical Expectations: People might expect a dramatic spectacle, but the reality is more subtle. Without the aid of telescopes or binoculars, planets Uranus and Neptune are invisible, and so the parade may not live up to the heightened expectations set by some media outlets.
So while the June 3 planet parade is a noteworthy observing challenge for astronomy enthusiasts, the media hype is leading to unrealistic expectations for the unsuspecting general public not experienced with skywatching. In short, yes the planets will technically be visible, but the spectacle will be much more serene than the buzz suggests.
Patience Brings Rewards
While the early June ‘Planet Parade’ may not be the best for observers, the end of June/early July offers a much better vantage point in catching sight of more planets in the sky.
Jupiter and Uranus will both be better placed, higher in the eastern sky at dawn. Also the Moon will be hopping from one planet to the next from day to day, making it a great guidepost in finding each planet – especially the super-faint ones like Uranus and Neptune – which require binoculars and telescopes.
Key Dates
June 27 Moon and Saturn
June 28 Moon and Neptune
July 1 Moon and Mars
July 2 Moon and Uranus
July 3 Moon and Jupiter
