Don’t Miss Three Bright Planets Lining Up After Sunset This Weekend

BreakingInnovationScienceDon’t Miss Three Bright Planets Lining Up After Sunset This WeekendByJamie Carter,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky.Follow AuthorJun 05, 2026, 02:23pm EDTToplineHave you seen the bright “star” or “stars” shining low in the west after dark? A remarkable celestial display is unfolding in the post-sunset sky this weekend as Venus, Jupiter and Mercury line up after sunset, offering stargazers an easy-to-see “planetary parade” — and perhaps a chance of northern lights. Over the coming evenings, the planets will appear increasingly close together, culminating in a striking planetary conjunction between Venus and Jupiter on Tuesday, June 9, visible to the naked eye. That will be one of the best naked-eye planetary events of the year, but this weekend, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury draw closer together.The positions of three planets this weekend, about 45 minutes after sunset in the west, as seen from across North America.Stellarium (edited by Jamie Carter using Canva)TimelineFriday, June 5Venus and Jupiter appear low in the west after sunset, with Mercury closer to the horizon below them, forming a planetary trio.Saturday, June 6The gap between Venus and Jupiter narrows slightly, while Mercury remains visible beneath them, slightly higher than the previous night.Sunday, June 7Venus and Jupiter draw closer still, now aligning with the stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini, as Mercury continues to rise. It sets the stage for next week’s spectacular conjunction. if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.style.display = 'none'; iframe.onload = function() { var iframeDoc = iframe.contentWindow.document; var script = iframeDoc.createElement('script'); script.src = '//cd.elements.video/player.js?cid=62cec241-7d09-4462-afc2-f72f8d8ef40a'; script.setAttribute('defer',...