Skywatchers across the United States can catch a six-planet “parade” in the pre-dawn sky on Sunday, August 10, 2025. About an hour before local sunrise, look toward the eastern horizon to see the lineup: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be bright enough to see with the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a small telescope.
Where and when to look
– Time: Begin roughly one hour before sunrise on Aug. 10, 2025 (check your local sunrise time).
– Direction: East — scan the eastern to east-southeast sky, low on the horizon.
– What you’ll see: Mercury will rise shortly before sunrise near the constellation Cancer and will sit closest to the Sun. Higher and to the right of Mercury will be Venus and Jupiter. Farther to the right and highest in this group will be Uranus (in Taurus), visible with binoculars. Neptune and Saturn (both in Pisces) will appear farther right and slightly lower; you’ll need binoculars or a telescope to pick up Neptune, while Saturn will show a steady, yellowish glow even to casual observers.
Special moments
– On Aug. 12, Venus and Jupiter will reach their closest apparent approach of the year — close enough that, at arm’s length, you could cover both with a little finger. That tight conjunction is an especially striking sight.
Why the planets appear to line up
– The apparent “alignment” is a viewpoint effect. All planets orbit the Sun near the same plane (the ecliptic), so sometimes several planets appear on the same side of the Sun from Earth’s perspective. They are not forming a straight line in space; each planet moves at a different speed, so the grouping is temporary.
Practical observing tips
– Pick an observing site with a clear, low eastern horizon and as little light pollution as possible.
– Bring binoculars (7×50 or similar) or a small telescope for Uranus and Neptune. A tripod stabilizes binoculars or camera setups.
– Dress warmly, arrive early to let your eyes adapt to the dark, and use a star-chart app if you need help identifying constellations and planets.
– For photography: use a tripod and a wide-angle lens to capture the horizon lineup; for individual planets, use a longer lens or telescope and shorter exposures with tracking if available. Avoid pointing optics at or near the rising Sun.
Quick safety note
– Never look directly at the Sun through binoculars, a camera lens or a telescope. Stop observing well before sunrise reaches the planets’ elevation.
Additional comments and practical value
– This event is family-friendly and accessible: binoculars are enough to enhance the view and many local astronomy clubs host pre-dawn viewing events that provide equipment and guidance. If weather blocks the view on Aug. 10, mark Feb. 28, 2026 as the next notable multi-planet alignment opportunity when several planets will again appear together in the sky.
Short summary
– On Aug. 10, 2025, about an hour before sunrise, look east to see a six-planet parade: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn visible to the naked eye; Uranus and Neptune visible with binoculars/telescope. Venus and Jupiter make a close pairing on Aug. 12. The alignment is an apparent effect caused by planets sharing the ecliptic and will be brief.
Hopeful note
– Events like this are great reminders of how accessible astronomy can be: little equipment, a clear horizon and a willingness to get up early are all it takes to share a memorable skywatching moment with family or friends.