Five Planets Will Be Visible in the Sky This Week
We’re all used to seeing pictures in textbooks of the eight planets all lined up in a row, starting with Mercury and ending with Neptune, but very rarely do we actually get to see a line of planets in the night sky at the same time. That’s what’s happening this week as all five planets visible to the naked eye — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn —appear simultaneously. It’s going to take a bit of effort because only those willing to rise early — really early — on Sunday, July 19, 2020 will get to see the planets. You won’t need a telescope unless you want a close-up of each. About two hours before sunrise, you’ll be able to see Jupiter sinking in the southwestern sky with Saturn, the ringed planet, just above to the right. Trace a curved line going through both planets and into the southern sky, and you’ll hit Mars, the red planet, high above the southeastern horizon.