The planets are aligning and here’s how to see it
For the first time in 18 years, five celestial bodies will be aligned in an event you’ll be able to see with your naked eye.
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible for most of June, with the Australian Geographic reporting that 6am each morning (or 30 minutes before sunrise for New Zealanders) is the prime time to see them all aligned.
“If you get up before sunrise, you will be able to spot Mercury closest to the eastern horizon followed by the bright Venus,” Auckland’s Stardome Observatory said in a statement.
“Mars and Jupiter will be close together and high in the sky, while Saturn will be in the northern part of the sky.
“The positions of each planet will slightly change every morning but they will all remain in the sky for the month.”
Between June 9-27, the Moon will also be passing near each of the planets, making it easier to see each planet on these dates:
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June 9 - Saturn
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June 22 - Jupiter
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June 23 - Mars
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June 26 - Venus
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June 27 - Mercury
If the conditions are just right, we might also get the chance to spot Uranus on June 25 - though you’ll need a pair of binoculars to catch the distinctly green-coloured dot to the right of the crescent Moon.
Image: NASA / JPL-Caltech