When is Planetary Conjunction?

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The next planetary conjunction is on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Mercury and Jupiter will appear about half a degree apart in the eastern sky before sunrise. The event has a precisely calculated date and is not an estimate.

When Is the Next Planetary Conjunction?

Mercury and Jupiter reach conjunction on August 15, 2026, at 09:13 UTC. At that moment, the two planets share the same right ascension, with Jupiter passing approximately 33 arcminutes south of Mercury.

The exact conjunction occurs during daylight in many locations. Observers should look before sunrise, when the planets will already appear close together. Their separation will be similar to the apparent width of a full Moon.

Where Will the Mercury–Jupiter Conjunction Be Visible?

Visibility depends heavily on latitude, local sunrise time, weather and the shape of the eastern horizon. Mercury and Jupiter will be only about 12 degrees from the Sun, placing them low in bright morning twilight.

Locations with a flat, unobstructed eastern horizon will have the best chance. Coastal viewpoints, open fields and elevated areas can provide a clearer view than streets surrounded by buildings or hills.

The conjunction may be easier to observe from some tropical and Southern Hemisphere locations, where the angle of the ecliptic can place the planets higher above the horizon. In parts of North America and Europe, they may remain only a few degrees above the horizon as dawn brightens.

Which Direction Should You Face?

Face east to east-northeast before sunrise. Jupiter will be the brighter object, while Mercury will appear close beside it. Both planets will be in the constellation Cancer, although the constellation’s faint stars will not be visible in the morning glow.

What Time Should You Look?

The practical viewing window will be shortly before sunrise on August 15. Begin checking the eastern horizon during morning twilight, using a local astronomy app or planetarium program to confirm the planets’ position for your city.

Looking too early may mean the planets have not risen. Looking too late allows the brightening sky to hide Mercury first. The usable window may last only a few minutes in locations where the pair rises shortly before the Sun.

Observers can also try on the mornings of August 14 and August 16. The planets will not be at their minimum calculated separation, but they will still appear close and may be easier to find if clouds interfere on the main date.

What Will the Conjunction Look Like?

Jupiter will shine at approximately magnitude −1.8, making it the easier planet to identify. Mercury will be around magnitude −1.2. Both are bright enough to see without optical equipment under clear conditions, but low altitude and twilight will reduce their contrast.

The two planets only appear close from Earth’s viewpoint. Mercury is the nearest planet to the Sun, while Jupiter orbits far beyond Mars and the asteroid belt. They remain separated by hundreds of millions of kilometres in space.

Can You See the Conjunction Without a Telescope?

Yes. The Mercury–Jupiter conjunction can be visible to the unaided eye where the horizon is clear and atmospheric conditions are favourable. Jupiter should appear first because it is brighter.

Binoculars may help locate Mercury in the dawn glow. A wide field of view is more useful than high magnification because both planets can be viewed together as a pair.

Will Both Planets Fit in a Telescope View?

They may fit inside the field of a low-power telescope setup, depending on the eyepiece and instrument. A telescope is not necessary for the event, and positioning one safely near sunrise requires extra care.

Sunrise Viewing Safety

Never sweep the horizon with binoculars or a telescope after the Sun has begun to rise. Accidental exposure to concentrated sunlight can cause permanent eye damage within moments.

Determine the Sun’s local rising time before observing. Stop using optical equipment several minutes before sunrise, even when the Sun is hidden by distant buildings, hills, haze or clouds.

Viewing with the unaided eye during normal twilight does not require eclipse glasses. Eclipse glasses should not be attached to binoculars, cameras or telescopes unless the equipment has a correctly fitted front-mounted solar filter designed for that instrument.

Do You Need Tickets?

No ticket is needed. A planetary conjunction is a natural sky event that can be watched from any location where both planets rise above a clear horizon.

Planetariums, astronomy clubs and observatories may arrange local sessions, but the low pre-dawn position of Mercury and Jupiter may limit organised events. Any local viewing time should be checked against the sunrise and planetary rise times for that location.

Will the Planetary Conjunction Be Streamed Online?

There is no single worldwide broadcast for the August 15 conjunction. Astronomy organisations and individual observatories may offer live coverage if local weather and visibility permit.

A livestream can be useful for viewers whose eastern horizon is blocked or whose location places the planets too close to sunrise. Broadcast availability may not be confirmed until shortly before the event.

Planetary Conjunction Questions

Is a planetary conjunction the same as a planetary alignment?

No. A conjunction occurs when two astronomical objects share the same right ascension or ecliptic longitude as seen from Earth. A planetary alignment is a less exact expression often used when several planets appear along the same broad path across the sky.

How close will Mercury and Jupiter appear?

Their calculated separation will be about 33 arcminutes, slightly more than half a degree. That is close to the apparent diameter of the full Moon.

Can the conjunction be seen from a city?

Possibly. Light pollution is less troublesome for bright planets than for stars, but buildings, haze and an obstructed horizon can prevent a view. A location with an open eastern outlook matters more than travelling to a very dark site.

What happens if the sky is cloudy on August 15?

Mercury and Jupiter will remain near each other for several mornings. Their apparent distance changes gradually, so August 14 or August 16 can serve as alternatives even though August 15 is the formal conjunction date.

When is the next conjunction after Mercury and Jupiter?

Other planetary conjunctions will occur later in 2026, but they involve different planet pairs and separate observing conditions. The countdown on this page refers specifically to the next upcoming planetary conjunction: Mercury and Jupiter on August 15, 2026.