5 Planets Align Over Wisconsin: Forecast, How To Watch

MILWAUKEE, WI — A rare planetary alignment that only visits every few decades will arrive in skies over Wisconsin on Friday morning, forecasters from AccuWeather reported. The alignment peaks after summer solstice when a crescent moon joins the parade in the night time sky.

Clear skies are expected on Thursday night and early Friday morning, and some showers and clouds on Friday night and early Saturday morning in Milwaukee, the National Weather Service reported. A chance of thunderstorms is expected Saturday afternoon and late evening.

Temperatures will be in the low 60s Thursday night and in the mid 60s Friday night, forecasters said. Temperatures in the mid-60s are expected Saturday night.

Rare Alignment Won't Be Back For Decades

The procession of planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, in that order — will be visible just above the eastern horizon during an hour or so before sunrise through the end of the month, according to AccuWeather.

The best date to mark is before 5 a.m. local time on June 24, when a crescent moon joins the planetary parade.

Best of all, the planetary alignment is visible without a telescope, though AccuWeather notes that Mercury may be hard to spot because it’s the dimmest of the planets and will be the lowest in the sky.

For the best chances to see all five planets, try to find a fairly flat open space without trees, buildings and mountains to get in the way.

The last time the five planets lined up was in 2004, and it won’t happen again until 2040, according to AccuWeather.

See Also: Planets Align, Supermoon And Blue Clouds In WI Skywatcher's June Guide