6 Planets Visible In Pre-Dawn Sky Over Alameda

ALAMEDA, CA — Take a look at the pre-dawn skies over Alameda through this week and you’ll be able to see six planets, weather permitting. Only Venus is missing from the planetary lineup.

The bright planets of Jupiter and Mars are still visible in the morning sky after their mid-August conjunction. Saturn, visible in the western sky, is at its brightest as it reaches opposition — which occurs when Saturn appears opposite the sun when viewed from Earth — on Thursday.

Jupiter, Mars and Saturn are all prominent. Mercury, which recently moved into the pre-dawn sky, also is relatively easy to spot, while dim Uranus and Neptune are a little more elusive.

To see them all, stand in an open area with clear view of the east, south and west, EarthSky recommends. Between Mercury near the eastern horizon and Saturn in the southwestern sky are Mars and Jupiter, and then the harder-to-see Uranus, and Neptune.

And if you’re longing to see Venus, the second planet away from the sun and the lone planet missing in the current early morning lineup, you may catch a glimpse of it in the western sky around dusk through the end of the year. The best overall chances to see Venus in the evening sky are Oct. 5-Dec. 31, according to Space.com.

• Related: 2024 Guide To Meteor Showers, Supermoons And More

We’ll have to wait until October to see shooting stars from the fall meteor showers.

Also in September, the full harvest moon on the 18th is the second of four consecutive supermoons.