NASA is raining on the visibility of the ‘parade of planets’. You won’t see what you want

Hoosiers who wake up early Monday morning can experience a “parade of planets,” as some are calling it — an alignment of six planets that takes place in the early morning hours of June 3.

While that’s exciting news, avid sky watchers may need to curb their enthusiasm. Most of these planets won’t be visible in the US, according to NASA, which said the next closest thing to a “planetary parade” won’t happen until much later.

Here’s what we know about it and other celestial events in June.

Which six planets will align on June 3, 2024?

The alignment on June 3 will consist of Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Mars, Neptune and Saturn. However, experts say most of these planets will be hidden from view.

NASA debunks visibility of ‘planet parade’

As part of its annual monthly skywatching tips, NASA has included a note debunking the notion that the parade of planets would be easy to view.

“Some online sources share excitement about a ‘parade of planets’ visible in the morning sky in early June (particularly on June 3). In reality, only two of the six planets supposedly visible – Saturn and Mars – will actually visible,” said a statement from NASA, adding that Jupiter and Mercury will likely not be visible because they will be at or below the horizon at dawn.

And without a telescope, Uranus and Neptune are far too faint to see with the naked eye, NASA said, especially as the morning sky brightens.

What planets can I see aligned in Indiana on June 3?

The planetary alignment will be visible across the Northern Hemisphere toward the eastern sky, weather permitting, but be sure to bring binoculars, suggested Brian Murphy, Butler University professor of physics and astronomy.

“With a clear northeastern horizon and perhaps binoculars, you should be able to make out Jupiter and Mercury,” Murphy said in a message to IndyStar. “The moon, Mars and Saturn should not be a problem as they are far from the sun in the sky. In fact, they can be seen well before sunrise.”

However, Venus, and many other planets that align, will be nearly impossible to spot because of their proximity to the sun, Murphy said.

What about the planets aligning?

The alignment will take place on June 3, 2024, just before sunrise. Murphy said the best time to look at the sky is 15 to 30 minutes before sunrise.

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What is the weather forecast for Central Indiana on June 3?

According to the National Weather Service for Central Indiana, Sunday night will be partly cloudy beginning Friday, with a low around 62. Monday will feature mostly sunny skies with a high near 85, south winds 3 to 8 mph and a force 30 %. Chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m

Do you need a telescope or binoculars to see the planets?

At the very least, experts say you’ll need powerful binoculars to see the majority of the planets: Mercury and Jupiter will be extremely low in the sky. Uranus will be quite faint and Neptune will appear star-like with binoculars due to its distance from Earth. But Mars and Saturn should be visible to the naked eye.

NASA says another ‘planet parade’ will take place at the end of June

The closest we’ll get to a new “planet parade,” NASA says, will occur on June 29, 2024, when Saturn, the Moon, Mars and Jupiter will line up in the morning sky.

How do planetary alignments happen?

The planets in our solar system continuously revolve around the sun. Over time, they slowly overtake each other as they travel along the same path, the ecliptic. From our perspective on Earth, according to NASA, they sometimes seem to align. However, the formation of the alignment will be short-lived as each planet moves at different speeds depending on its distance from the Sun.

How rare are planetary alignments?

Planetary alignments are not extremely rare, especially when there are two to four planets. They occur several times a year. If there are five or more planets aligned, this is less common. The last planetary alignment observed in the Northern Hemisphere occurred on April 8.

Here’s a quick look at the planets that align on June 3.

Astronomical events take place in June

Skywatchers should keep the following dates in mind for June 2024, according to NASA.

◾ June 3: The crescent moon is below Mars at dawn. Look for them low in the eastern sky.

◾ June the 6th: New Moon.

◾ 21st of June: Full moon.

◾ 24th of June: Jupiter is now visible low in the east before sunrise. This last week of June, look for the bright planet about 10 degrees above the horizon, forming a line with Mars and Saturn stretching south.

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