Alignment of planets: which planets will be visible with the naked eye and which ones with a telescope?

The upcoming parade of planets on 28 August promises to be a spectacular celestial event, offering skywatchers a chance to observe six planets aligned in the night sky.

This alignment will showcase Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn, creating a rare astronomical display.

The planets visible to the naked eye

Four planets in this alignment will be observable without any equipment:

Jupiter: As the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter will be one of the brightest objects in the sky, appearing as a brilliant point of light.

Saturn: Known for its stunning rings, Saturn will be visible as a bright, yellowish star-like object in the Aquarius constellation.

Mars: The Red Planet will be recognizable by its distinctive reddish hue.

Mercury: Visible in Leo but will be hard to see due to its proximity to sunrise.

Planets requiring optical aid

Uranus: This distant ice giant is too faint for most people to see without optical assistance. High-powered binoculars or a telescope will be necessary to view Uranus.

Neptune: The most distant planet in our solar system, Neptune is not visible to the naked eye. A telescope is required to observe this blue giant.

Best conditions to view the planets

To maximize your viewing experience it’s recommended to find a dark location away from city lights. The best time to observe will be in the early morning hours before sunrise.