See The Six-Planet ‘Parade’ On Tuesday As Mercury Falls

Topline

A six-world parade shall be on present to early rising skywatchers on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Three planets — Venus, Jupiter and Saturn — will shine brightly to the bare eye, whereas Mercury will make a quick look near the japanese horizon simply earlier than dawn. Uranus and Neptune are additionally within the sky, although binoculars or a telescope are wanted to identify them. Such parades are fleeting, and this one is already starting to fade — Mercury will vanish into the solar’s glare by subsequent week, trimming the line-up to 5.

Rare six-planet alignment in August 2025: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune stretch throughout the morning horizon.

getty

Key Facts

Looking east 45 minutes earlier than dawn from mid-northern latitudes on August 26, 2025, three planet are seen, with Saturn vivid within the southern sky.

Stellarium

The Four Bright Stars That Are Not Planets

While planet-spotting, it may be arduous to distinguish between vivid stars and planets. Planets do not twinkle — they’re too vivid and much nearer than stars — so do not get affected by Earth’s ambiance as a lot. However, it is nonetheless value understanding the place they’re so you possibly can low cost them. First, discover Jupiter and Venus, the 2 brightest planets. That shall be straightforward as a result of they’re so vivid, and comparatively shut to one another. To the precise of those two vivid planets are 4 stars — Orion’s large orange star Betelgeuse — the ninth-brightest and one of many largest recognized stars within the evening sky— and, to its proper, is Rigel. Beneath Rigel is Sirius, the brightest star within the evening sky, simply 8.6 light-years distant. Below Betelgeuse is Procyon.

Orion rising above Monument Valley, West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte, Arizona, Utah, USA

getty

What’s Next In The Night Sky

September’s evening skies are busy. With Mercury gone from view, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus dominate mornings. On Sept. 7, the complete moon will journey via Earth’s shadow, making a “blood moon” complete lunar eclipse for skywatchers in Asia, Africa and western Australia. A hanging conjunction follows on Sept. 19, when a waning crescent moon joins Venus and Regulus, Leo’s brightest star. Then, Sept. 21 brings a triple deal with — a partial photo voltaic eclipse throughout the Pacific Ocean, Saturn at opposition (its brightest of the 12 months) on the day earlier than the September equinox.

Further Reading

Forbes‘Planet Parade’ Myths Debunked And How To Truly See It — By A StargazerBy Jamie CarterForbesNASA Urges Public To Leave The City As Milky Way Appears — 15 Places To GoBy Jamie CarterForbes9 Places To Experience The Next Total Solar Eclipse A Year From TodayBy Jamie Carter