When will the planets align?

FIVE planets align for the first space phenomenon of its kind in 18 years.

And the rare planet parade is expected to be the only one for decades to come.

Astronomy experts said it’s normal to see three planets in a row known as a conjunction, but five is rarer.

Sky and Telescope magazine added: “And what’s even more remarkable about this month’s lineup is that the planets are arranged in their natural order from the Sun.”

The planets have been regularly seen in the morning skies this year, but are beginning to dissipate.

By September, two of them will no longer be morning objects for most observers, according to the space agency Nasa.

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When will the planets align?

The “Planet Parade” began this month and will be visible over the eastern horizon for the remainder of June.

But the best time to see it without a telescope is this morning.

According to BBC Science Focus, the best time to see it is between 3:39am this morning and sunrise at 4:43am.

Saturn rose at around 11:21pm last night for those based in New York. Jupier should follow at 1:05 am, Mars at 1:44 am, Venus at 3:33 am, and Mercury at 4:11 am.

Astronomer Michelle Nichols told LiveScience, “This is early morning so you have to set the alarm to do this — but it’s just a fun time to see planets in the sky.”

On clear mornings, alignment is best seen up to an hour before sunrise.

Which planets will align?

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will align.

And they will appear in the sky from deep in the east to higher in the south.

Mercury was the hardest to spot earlier in the month as viewers will need an unobstructed eastern horizon and binoculars.

Sky and Telescope added, “Throughout the month, Mercury will rise higher and become significantly brighter, making it easier to see and thus completing the planetary lineup.”

How long will planet alignment take?

Alignment will last all month. Experts say the five planets may not align again until 2040.