Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter to form a 5-night planet parade; Viewers advised to look up between June 11 and June 15.

A cosmic event featuring Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will grace the night sky from June 11 to June 15, inviting stargazers to witness a planet parade. NASA encourages viewers to look towards the west as the Sun sets, with visibility peaking approximately 45 minutes after sunset.

The term "planet parade" refers to the alignment of these celestial bodies, although it's not an official astronomy term. The best viewing time offers a chance to see not just Mercury and Jupiter, but also Venus—one of the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun. Viewers can expect a dazzling display without the need for telescopes or special equipment, just their naked eyes.

"You will need a clear view to the west to catch it in the glow of twilight," said NASA, emphasizing the importance of optimal viewing conditions for this cosmic showcase.

During certain nights of the parade, Mercury will make its appearance alongside the planets, culminating in a stunning configuration for observers. The planets' proximity offers a spectacular sight, as they appear in close alignment although separated by vast distances in space—over four times the distance from Earth to the Sun.

Additionally, a notable Venus-Jupiter conjunction is set for June 9, 2026, implying that celestial events are frequent, with similar occurrences noted in March 2023 and May 2024, ensuring that stargazers have many opportunities to enjoy the wonders of the night sky.

A cosmic meetup, or planet parade, featuring Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will be visible from June 11 to June 15. Stargazers are encouraged to look to the west at sunset for a dazzling view of these planets, which can be seen without any special equipment, NASA reports.