10 Breathtaking Locations on the SouthCoast to Witness the Parade of Planets

Mark your calendar for June 24 to witness a rare, astronomical event to usher in Midsummer.

The Farmer’s Almanac is here to remind us about the “parade of the planets” that will be visible on the morning of June 24, and the best part is you won’t even need a telescope.

What is Midsummer?

Midsummer arrives three days after the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Ancient calendars used to view May 1 as the beginning of summer, which would consider “Midsummer” the halfway point of the season. Nowadays, the beginning of summer is June 21, but Midsummer remains unchanged.

Parade of the Planets

Midsummer in 2022 is partnered with an extremely rare event known as the “parade of planets.” Five planets will be visible without the need for a telescope, along with a crescent moon, in the exact order that they orbit the Sun. Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will perfectly align, giving us a beautiful display of our galaxy.

Get our free mobile app

Astronomer Gary Seronik tells the Almanac, “It’s been about 100 years since a similarly compact parade of planets graced our skies, and you’ll have to wait until 2041 to see such an arrangement again."

When to View the Midsummer Moment

The Washington Post suggests heading outside 30 minutes before sunrise and “hope for a clear horizon” to take full advantage of the spectacle in the sky.

While the event can be visible throughout the month of June, the best opportunity to see it will be June 24.

Set your alarm and don’t miss out on the celestial show.