Skywatchers can spot four planets stretching across the morning sky this November as Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter form what’s colloquially known as a “planetary alignment” or “planet parade” — but it’s only visible before sunrise.

The much-anticipated November 2026 planet parade will be visible around Nov. 14-28, largely because fast-moving Mercury will be visible then. However, while the event has attracted a lot of attention on social media, the spectacle will look different from the dramatic planetary lineups often depicted online.

When Is The November 2026 Planet Parade?

The best time to observe the planetary alignment will be about 45 to 60 minutes before sunrise, when four planets will be visible across the eastern and southeastern sky.

Catch Mars and Jupiter appearing exceptionally close together on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Mercury highest in a darkened sky on Tuesday, Nov. 17, as seen from mid-North America. Visibility will depend on local weather conditions and an unobstructed horizon.

Mars And Jupiter Will Be The Main Attraction

One of the most impressive sights will occur on Saturday, Nov. 14, when Mars and Jupiter will appear separated by approximately one degree in the sky. That’s roughly the width of a little finger held at arm’s length.

Jupiter will shine much brighter than Mars, while the Red Planet will be recognizable by its distinctive orangey-red color. The pair will also appear near Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo.

How To Spot All Four Planets Before Sunrise

Finding the planets should be relatively straightforward, though Mercury will be the most challenging.

  • Venus will be the brightest object in the alignment, shining above the southeastern horizon.
  • Mercury will appear much lower, so a clear view toward the horizon is essential. As it gets lighter, binoculars may be needed to spot the “Swift Planet.”
  • Mars and Jupiter will sit considerably higher in the southern sky and will be visible to the naked eye.

Can You See Saturn, Uranus And Neptune Too?

The November spectacle isn’t limited to four planets, but the others will be easier to see after dark. Saturn will also be visible in the evening and at night, near the Great Square of Pegasus, with Neptune close by. Only Saturn is visible to the naked eye, but seeing its rings requires even a small telescope.

Uranus, in the constellation Taurus near the Pleiades, reaches opposition on Nov. 25, making the entire month an ideal time to search for the distant ice giant with binoculars (possible) or a telescope (recommended).

Although these planets won’t join the morning alignment, dedicated observers could potentially spot seven planets in a single day.

Is The November Planet Parade Worth Watching?

Despite the excitement surrounding planetary alignments, the planets won’t form a perfectly straight line or appear unusually close together in space. Their apparent arrangement depends on Earth’s perspective, but it’s not particularly unusual — and it’s certainly not an alignment. After all, all the planets orbit on the same plane, so all follow the same line in the sky — the ecliptic, which is also the sun’s path through Earth’s daytime sky.

Nevertheless, the close encounter between Mars and Jupiter makes November’s event particularly appealing. Skywatchers should also mark November 30, when the moon will join Mars and Jupiter in the southeastern sky after midnight, creating another attractive celestial grouping and a diamond shape with nearby Regulus.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.