Last planet parade of 2025 happening today? How to watch the rare planetary alignment in the US
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How does the planetary alignment made?
Skygazers will revel in a dazzling display as a six "planet parade" dances across the sky on Sunday, August 10. The final 'planet parade' of the year will feature six planets aligning in the pre-dawn sky today. planetary alignment , casually called a 'planet parade,' occurs when several planets gather closely on one side of the sun at the same time, according to USA Today. Six planets will align on August 10 with four of them easily visible from the naked eye. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be bright enough to be seen without a telescope in the hour before sunrise.But sky enthusiasts and sky gazers will need a telescope or binoculars to see Uranus and Neptune. The planets will be visible on the eastern horizon, and Mercury will rise shortly before sunrise near the Cancer constellation, so it's best to start looking about an hour before the sun comes up, according to National World.While Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be bright enough to be seen without a telescope in the hour before sunrise, but stargazers will need a telescope or binoculars to see Uranus and Neptune.Sunrise in New Jersey on Aug. 10 will be around 6 a.m. Four of them will be visible to the naked eye — Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury —while Uranus and Neptune will only be visible with binoculars or a telescope.The planets will be visible on the eastern horizon, and Mercury will rise shortly before sunrise near the Cancer constellation, so it's best to start looking about an hour before the sun comes up.On August 12, Jupiter and Venus will appear slightly higher and to the right of Mercury, positioned right beside each other in the night sky. This marks their closest alignment of the year, known as a conjunction.Farther to the right and highest in the sky will be Uranus, which is best spotted using binoculars or a telescope and below and to the right of Uranus, you'll find Neptune and Saturn.About an hour before sunrise on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, look in the eastern horizon. Mercury will rise shortly before sunrise and stay closest to the sun in the constellation Cancer. Higher in the sky, Jupiter, the second brightest planet, and Venus, will be to the right of Mercury.According to Starwalk, Venus and Jupiter will make their closest approach of the year on Aug. 12 — enough to cover both planets with your little finger at arm's length.Further to the right and highest in the sky will be Uranus (in Taurus). You'll need at least a pair of binoculars to view it.Further to the right, you'll need binoculars to spot Neptune (in Pisces) and nearby Saturn (also in Pisces). Saturn will appear to have a steady, yellowish glow, setting it apart from other stars.The planets orbit the sun continuously in the solar system. But at times, they slowly catch up to each other as they travel along the same path, or ecliptic, as they pass Earth, it appears they are aligned, according to NASA. The alignment formation, however, will be short-lived because each planet moves at different speeds.According to Starwalk, the next alignment will occur on February 28, 2026 when Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter align in the sky. Once these planets are above the horizon on August 10, if you're in the northern hemisphere, you will see Neptune and Saturn to the southwest (about 40 degrees above the horizon), followed by Uranus to the southeast (about 55 degrees above the horizon).
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India Today
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- India Today
Parade of planets to dazzle skies across India: When and how to watch it
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Perseid meteor shower 2025: 5 things students should know ahead of tonight's celestial spectacle
Each year, the night sky presents a remarkable spectacle that has intrigued humanity for centuries. The Perseid Meteor Shower stands out as one of the most consistent and captivating annual celestial events, delivering a procession of shooting stars across the sky. On the night of August 12-13, 2025, the Perseids will reach their peak, promising an unforgettable display despite the anticipated interference from a bright Moon. As the peak night of August 12 fades, stargazers in India can still look forward to glimpsing meteors in the nights that follow. Here are 5 essential insights students should consider before venturing outdoors to observe this enduring cosmic phenomenon. What exactly is a meteor shower? Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a comet or asteroid. In the case of the Perseids, these are tiny rocky fragments shed by Comet Swift-Tuttle (109P) as it orbits the Sun. 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What makes the 2025 Perseids unique? While the Perseids typically produce anywhere from 50 to 100 meteors per hour under ideal dark skies, this year presents a challenge. The bright waning gibbous Moon, approximately 84-86% illuminated, will wash out many of the fainter meteors, reducing visibility. Students watching from urban or light-polluted areas may see only 10 to 20 meteors per hour. Despite this, bright fireballs and longer 'earth-grazing' meteors often cut through moonlight, creating memorable moments. A rare double treat: The Venus-Jupiter conjunction Adding to the excitement of the night, a rare planetary conjunction will take place in the pre-dawn sky. Venus and Jupiter will appear just under one degree apart — about the width of a pinkie finger held at arm's length. This close alignment offers a spectacular sight as both planets shine brilliantly near the constellation Gemini. Students with binoculars or telescopes may even glimpse Venus's phases and Jupiter's Galilean moons, making it an excellent opportunity for budding astronomers. When and where should you watch? The prime time to view the Perseids is from midnight to dawn, especially between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., when the radiant in Perseus is highest above the horizon and meteors are most frequent. If moonlight interferes too much on the peak night, consider watching a few nights later when the Moon's brightness diminishes, although meteor activity drops rapidly after the peak. Dark, rural locations away from city lights are ideal. Elevated sites, such as hills or mountain lookouts can offer clearer skies, provided weather conditions cooperate. Tips for an optimal viewing experience To make the most of the meteor shower, avoid using telescopes or binoculars since these limit your field of view and reduce the chances of spotting fast-moving meteors. 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