Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter to Line Up for 'Planet Parade'

HOUSTON, TX  – NASA released some June 2024 skywatching tips that feature early morning planetary activities, including appearances by Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter. 

Key Events:

June 3: The crescent Moon will sit beneath Mars during morning twilight, visible low in the eastern sky.

June 6: New Moon.

June 21: Full Moon.

June 24: Jupiter will reappear low in the eastern sky before sunrise. Look for the bright planet around 10 degrees above the horizon, forming a line with Mars and Saturn stretching towards the south.

June 27: The Moon and Saturn will rise together in the east around midnight. By dawn, they will be high in the southern sky, appearing close enough to be seen together through binoculars.

Despite some online excitement about a "parade of planets" on June 3, only Saturn and Mars will be visible. Jupiter and Mercury will be at or below the horizon, and Uranus and Neptune will be too faint without a telescope.

The closest event resembling a planet parade will occur on June 29, with Saturn, the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter lining up across the morning sky.

Identifying Celestial Objects:

NASA provides tips for identifying common objects in the sky. Bright planets such as Venus and Jupiter shine steadily, unlike twinkling stars. Planets, visible to the naked eye, can appear as tiny disks or crescents through binoculars or telescopes. Stars, much farther away, appear as single points of light, twinkling due to atmospheric distortion.

Moving objects might be aircraft, identifiable by their flashing lights and steady paths. Satellites, visible after dark or before dawn, move in steady, straight paths and can flare in brightness. Rockets launching at twilight can create illuminated exhaust trails, sometimes forming spiral shapes.