This week marks the peak of the “planet parade,” an optical illusion that makes four planets visible to the naked eye before sunrise. On Tuesday, August 19, Mercury will be at its most prominent and visible just above Venus and Jupiter in the eastern sky. Saturn will be seen in the southern sky.
Mercury is currently about 80 million miles away from Earth, with Venus at 118 million miles, Jupiter at 548 million miles, and Saturn at 888 million miles. The planets are not aligned, but their positions create a curve across the night sky known as the ecliptic.
While four planets can be seen without telescopes, Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or more advanced equipment to spot. On Wednesday, August 20, a crescent moon will be close to Venus and Mercury, while on Thursday, August 21, it will be near Jupiter and Saturn.
Astronomers highlight the rare occurrence of “Earthshine,” which appears as a faint glow on the dark part of the moon. This phenomenon happens when sunlight reflects off Earth’s ice caps, oceans, and clouds. The light takes just 1.3 seconds to reach from Earth to the moon and back into our eyes.
The next impressive planet parade will take place in October 2028, with five planets visible together before sunrise.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/08/18/see-a-six-planet-parade-on-tuesday-as-mercury-becomes-visible