The August sky is preparing to offer one of the most spectacular astronomical phenomena of the year.
During the early morning of August 12, 2026, six planets in the solar system will coincide in the same region of the sky in an impressive event popularly known as a “planet parade.”
This visual spectacle promises to captivate both amateur astronomers and curious observers who wish to look up at the sky.
Will the Planetary Alignment Be Visible in Mexico?
According to Star Walk, the protagonists of this celestial parade will be Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. This is an optical perspective effect caused by the position of Earth.
In Mexico, the phenomenon will begin to become visible during the early morning of August 12, at approximately 4:00 a.m., and will last for about 90 minutes until before sunrise.
For those located in Mexico City, the best practical observation window is expected to be between 5:35 and 5:53 a.m.
Can the Planetary Alignment Be Seen with the Naked Eye?
The answer is partially yes, since the ease of identifying each planet will vary considerably depending on the brightness and distance of each one.
The easiest planets to see with the naked eye will be Saturn and Mars, both recognizable by their characteristic golden and reddish tones, respectively. No special equipment will be required to observe them.
Mercury and Jupiter will be the most difficult to observe, because they will be positioned very low over the eastern horizon, exactly where the brightness of dawn will make visibility difficult. To see Jupiter, it will be necessary to have a completely unobstructed horizon due to its extreme proximity to the ground line.
Finally, Uranus and Neptune will be a ‘challenge’. A telescope will be necessary to observe them.
Recommendations for Watching the Planet Parade in Mexico
To ensure the best possible experience from Mexico, Star Walk suggests observing from open fields, coastlines, rooftops, high balconies, or hilltops.
Although the brightest planets can be seen from urban environments, looking for dark skies, away from city lights, will make observation easier.
Special eye protection is not required to enjoy the event. However, if you use binoculars or a telescope, never point them directly at the Sun.
As if that were not enough, a total solar eclipse will also occur that same day. Although the total phase of this eclipse will not be visible in Mexico.
Source: elfinanciero
