What is a 'Planet Parade'?

Planetary Parade or Planet Parade isn’t an official scientific term, but it is extensively used in astronomy to represent an event where planets of the Solar System gather together in a row, in their actual position in the sky, as seen by observers from Earth. However, it is not quite simple to define this phenomenon, but there are three most commonly used definitions available:

• An astronomical occurrence that happens when planets meet together in a row on one side of the Sun simultaneously.
• A visual spectacle that occurs when planets gather in a small sector of the sky, all together, regardless of their appearance conditions from the earth’s viewpoint. This type of planet parade happened previously on 18 April 2020 and then on 4 July 2020, when all planets were lined-up in a row and visible to the naked eye in the sky. As per preliminary forecasts, these planet parades will take place in 2022, 2040 and 2854.
• The clear phenomenal visibility of all planets of the Solar System in one night.

Planets line up in June 2022

Planets never line up in a precise straight line. When you see a two-dimensional plot of the planets and their orbits on a paper, then you realize that all planets in the Solar System will circle around the same line. Planets are never positioned in the same place; they swing in different orbits in three-dimensional space. This is the reason that they are never aligned perfectly. Even if astronomers use ’planetary alignment’ they don’t mean literal alignment, they just mean to say that some of the planets in our Solar System are in the same region of the sky.

Throughout June, before the sun rises, observers can see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn aligned together in that order – stretching in the sky from low in the east to high in the south. Mercury won’t be easily spotted. Earlier in the month, an unobstructed eastern horizon and binoculars will help observers spot Mercury. But as the month wears on, Mercury will climb higher and brighten which will make it easier for observers to see it, and thus, view the complete planetary alignment.

How many types of Planetary Parades are there?

A few types of Planetary Parades according to the number of participating planets are:

• Mini Planet Parade: Alignment of 3 planets, but this is not a rare occurrence. Three planets can be commonly seen simultaneously in the same sky various times a year.
• Small Planet Parade: Alignment of 4 planets.
• Large Planet Parade: Alignment of 5 or 6 planets.
• Full Planet Parade: All planets of the Solar System (along with Pluto, sometimes).

Sometimes, the arrangement of the planets in the sky resembles a queue, however, it is not so in all cases. Often, two or three planets create a line in the sky.

In addition, there are a lot more which depends on the viewpoint. When planets align on one side of the Sun, they aren’t in the same zone of the sky for the viewers from Earth. Vice Versa, once the planets are positioned in the same part of the sky from the viewpoint of Earth, they are not lined up necessarily from the viewpoint of the Sun.

When does the Planet Parade happen in June 2022?

• 3rd and 4th June: In the morning of 3rd and 4th June, the five planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn span 91° where the separation of Saturn and Mercury will be at its weakest. You can see a clear view of Mercury from a place low toward the east with binoculars. Be attentive to enjoy the clear view of all five planets, as there will be less than half an hour when Mercury will first appear above the horizon.
• 24th June: The planetary line-up on 24th June in the morning will be more fascinating. To start with, Mercury can be easily spotted, making the five-planet parade more accessible. You’ll have almost an hour to enjoy this spectacular view, and that will start when Mercury pops above the horizon and last till the sun rises.

Note: You can catch the parade early mornings. If, unfortunately, it is cloudy on these dates, you can still grab the opportunity to spot this incredible sight in all the mornings on the south-eastern horizon.

The Parade doesn’t have a significant astrological effect. But since it is well spread out across various signs, all areas of your life will play out in a similar manner.