Set your alarm early starting August 10, the morning sky is putting on a rare and dazzling performance! Six planets Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will align in a graceful arc just before sunrise, a “planet parade” that won’t return until February 2026.
Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn will shine bright to the naked eye, while Uranus and Neptune lurk quietly at the edges, visible through binoculars or a telescope.
And as if that weren’t enough, the Perseid meteor shower the year’s most spectacular—will be reaching its peak at the same time. On the nights of August 12–13, you could catch up to 100 meteors per hour, streaking through a planet-filled sky for an unforgettable cosmic show.
For the best view, find a dark spot with a clear eastern horizon about an hour before sunrise. The parade of planets will stretch above, with shooting stars slicing through the dawn. Whether you’re an avid astronomer or just love skywatching, this is a once-in-a-lifetime morning not to be missed.
Credit: NASA skywatching bulletins, astronomical event guides, and meteor shower forecasts.
