You Can See 5 Planets In Western New York This Weekend

For the first time in 18 years, you will be able to see 5 planets align…and you don’t even need a telescope!

The “sky parade,” (as I’m calling it), is made up of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, and at the end of the month, you will be able to see all five planets illuminate the sky. 

Mercury may be hard to see, though, just because it appears dim, so it wouldn’t hurt to use a telescope if you have one.

If you want to make sure you see the five planets, look up at the sky the night of Friday, June 24. Looking in the direction of the southeast, you should be able to see the planets in this order, from left to right: Mercury, Venus, (the moon), Mars, Jupiter, Saturn.

Check the sky about one hour before the sunrise on Friday, June 24 for the best chance to see the planet, which would be around 5 A.M. 

If you are not able to see the planets at this time, the good news is that at least four of them (Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) will still be visible for most mornings throughout the next week or two.

The next time you will be able to see all 5 planets aligned won’t be until 2040. 

Something to also watch for in the coming weeks is the Delta Aquarids!

It’s a meteor shower that you can usually see in the night sky come late July, seeing anywhere between 10-20 meteors or “shooting stars” per hour. The last four days of July are peak days to see the meteor shower, but the best time to see them are in the pre-dawn hours.

If you see one, remember to make a wish!