The universe has been spoiling us with some spectacular shows over the past year. Just recently we were treated to an unbelievable northern lights show thanks to a lot of solar activity and earlier this spring a solar eclipse swept across North America, delighting millions of people who shared their incredible images on social media.
April 2024 eclipse
Astronomy enthusiasts will want to pay attention in June to the night sky for a rare planetary lineup over a wide swathe of early morning sky. Starting in June, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will all be lined up, however not all of them will be visible. Mercury, Jupiter, and Uranus will most likely not be visible because they’ll be too low in the sky at sunrise. As for Venus, it will be invisible around this time thanks to its location in relation to the sun.
The moon will also play a role in this “planetary parade.” The waning crescent moon over the next few days will tell you where the planets are, however the light will obscure your view slightly. Starting June 1st, Mars and Saturn will be closest to the moon and visible to the unaided eye. Neptune and Uranus will be very faint especially with the early morning light and will require a high powered telescope to see. By the time June 29th rolls around, stargazers will be able to see Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and the three-quarter moon with the unaided eye.
Happy viewing!
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