Posted in Nebraska Nature June 07, 2022 by

Five Different Planets Will Align In The Nebraska Night Sky During An Incredibly Rare Display

We love it when space decides to put on a stunning show for us, and this month is going to bring a particularly beautiful sight: a “planetary parade” where the five planets we can see in the dark sky will be all lined up. Seeing it is definitely a “wow” moment!

This June, you can look up into the night sky to spot the five planets we can see from Earth with the naked eye - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn - lined up in a neat row.
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You won't need any special equipment to see the display, but binoculars or a telescope would help your chances of spotting the planets.
It doesn’t just happen every day where you can look up in the pre-dawn sky in Nebraska and catch all five "naked-eye" planets aligned in order in full view.
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They'll be arranged in the familiar orbital pattern we all know, which is what makes this event so special. The last time it happened was in 2004, though astronomers say that this year's display will be much clearer and easier to spot because the planets will all appear closer to one another than they did then.
In the first few days of the month, Mercury was difficult to spot, but as the month goes on, it will become more visible. If you're hoping to catch a view of all five planets, you'll need to get up early - Mercury typically shows up shortly before the sun starts to rise and blots out its brightness.
Sky & Telescope
While the planets will appear to be close together in the sky, they're still hundreds of millions of miles apart.
But if you can wait a little longer, you'll be treated to a longer window in which to see Mercury. On June 24th, set your alarm for very early. On that day, you'll have about an hour between when Mercury becomes visible and the sun comes up.
Adrien Sifre/Flickr
However, you'll be able to see the breathtaking conjunction every day through the end of June - even if you have to get up early to enjoy it.
You'll want to set yourself up pre-dawn in a position in which you have a clear eastern view of the horizon. Luckily, Nebraska has tons of places like that!
Rob Pettengill/Flickr

Will you be going outside in the wee hours of the morning this month to see the special celestial display? Have you already seen it? Be sure to share your stories and pictures!

If you’re looking for the very best place to see the stars in Nebraska, check out Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area.