What Is That Bright Star? When To See May’s Moonlit ‘Planet Parade’

Exactly how, when and where to see Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Mercury in May 2026.

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Have you seen the bright star in the west after sunset? It’s Venus — and it’s about to do something spectacular.

On June 9-11, Earth’s sister planet will appear to tangle with Jupiter in the night sky — again, just after sunset — as the two planets’ orbital paths momentarily align as seen from Earth.

It comes as a few planets are now visible in the pre-dawn hours, making May’s “planet parade” a two-session affair, but unmissable all the same. If you want to get a solar system-wide perspective on exactly what’s going on, take a look at The Planets Today for a live view. Here’s what you’ll see, and when, this weekend and beyond:

Look West After Sunset For Venus, Jupiter And A Crescent Moon

It’s perhaps the easiest kind of stargazing there is — you have dinner, then head outside to watch the planets dance in the post-sunset night sky. Only possible in May, a post-sunset planet-spotting contest — about 45 minutes after sunset where you are — will get you sights of both Venus and Jupiter in the southwestern twilight sky.

It’s a new moon on Saturday, May 16, but in the days after, a crescent will emerge beneath Venus and, over the evenings next week, climb through — and add to the splendor of — the planet parade. In time, it will be spectacular, as Venus and Jupiter pass each other closely on June 9 — and this weekend, see both within the constellation Gemini. Here are the highlights coming up:

• Sunday, May 17: It’s a tricky observation, but a 2%-lit crescent may be visible low on the west-northwest horizon, below Venus, if you look 30 minutes after sunset. You’ll need binoculars.
• Monday, May 18: A tight Venus-moon conjunction, with a 7%-lit crescent about two degrees (the width of two outstretched fingers held at arms' length) beneath the “Evening Star.” Look about 30 minutes after sunset, with the pair sinking about two hours later.
• Tuesday, May 19: A 15%-lit crescent will tonight by a few degrees below Jupiter, with the two setting about four hours after sunset.
• Wednesday, May 20: A 24%-lit crescent will move just above Jupiter, but appear closer than last night.
• Sunday, May 24: tiny Mercury will join the fray, completing May’s planetary parade. Look for it below Venus, very close to the horizon — though it will get higher each evening through early June.

Look East Before Sunrise For Saturn And Mars

It’s not an easy thing to do, of course. If you’re at mid-northern latitudes, sunrise is getting earlier as we approach June 21’s summer solstice, but if you want to glimpse planets, get up 90 minutes to an hour before sunrise where you are.

Now is the perfect time to make the effort because Mars and Saturn are rising in the east. They’re currently low in the eastern sky in the morning pre-dawn twilight, with Saturn highest and Mars lowest. You’ll likely need binoculars to see them, though Saturn will be visible with the naked eye.

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.