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

The evenings in Tennessee are thick with beauty, especially when the lights are out and the lightning bugs begin their dance across the sky. There’s nothing like star gazing out in the countryside, and locals know their own favorite backroads to traverse for prime night sky viewing. This June, however, an entirely new form of beauty is set to reveal itself. Space enthusiasts and skyward dreamers alike will appreciate what is being called a “planet parade,” in which all five planets viewable to the naked eye will be able to be seen in orbital order up in the early morning sky. It only happens every so often, and you won’t want to miss it. This year, star gazing in Tennessee takes on an impressive new edge.

Arthur T. LaBar - Flickr

The Tennessee night sky is a beautiful sight, no matter the night, but beginning June 3rd and lasting through the entire month of June there is quite the sight to see if you happen to look up. The planets of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will all be arranged in their natural order from the sun.

Jair Cabal - Flickr

This stunning sight is for early risers, as the line of planets will be visible right at dawn. You will need to have binoculars to see the strange sight earlier in the month, mainly because Mercury will be harder to spot, but if you turn your gaze to the eastern horizon later in June it will be easier to see the planetary lineup.

NASA Goddard Space Flight - Flickr

If you’re looking to commit to a day, on June 24th it will be easiest to see each of the five planets before the sun dims its light. Mercury will be bright for roughly an hour.

Sky & Telescope Illustration

Here you can see just how the planets will be aligned amidst the sky's constellations on June 24th, just before dawn. The last time all five of what is known as the "naked-eye planets," or the planets visible from Earth without required assistance, were visible was in the winter of 2004.

Stephen Rahn - Flickr

If you're going to check out this stunning celestial show, make sure you set your alarm for a pre-dawn wake-up call and turn your gaze to the east. The beauty of the natural world never ceases to amaze and inspire!

What an incredible experience! If you love to stargaze or enjoy the mythos that surrounds the earth’s atmosphere, then this is a “parade” that you won’t want to skip. If you’re looking for a place to stargaze, we would recommend this little-known state park.