April 20, 2025
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The Solar System Puts on a Rare Show Over Charlotte

Jack Beckett09 mins

A Celestial Red Carpet Event You Won’t Want to Miss

🪐 This Friday, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will line up across the night sky in a rare “planet parade.” Catch it now—or wait until 2028. 👀

If the sky had a red carpet, the entire solar system would be walking it this Friday. Seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—will align in a rare celestial formation that won’t happen again for years. Astronomers call it a planetary alignment, but “planet parade” is the more fitting name. After all, this is the closest space gets to a grand procession.

For a few hours after sunset, the planets will stretch across the night sky in an arc, each one glowing at a different intensity. The last time this happened was in 2022, and the next full lineup won’t be visible until 2028. If you miss this one, your next best bet is watching sci-fi movies and pretending.

How to See the Planets (and What to Expect)

Timing is everything. You’ll want to start looking about 30 minutes after sunset, when the planets begin appearing in the darkening sky.

  • Mercury & Venus – The first to show up, low in the western sky. Blink and you’ll miss them before they sink below the horizon.
  • Mars & Jupiter – Bright and easy to spot, glowing high overhead. Jupiter will be the brightest of the bunch.
  • Saturn – Hanging near the horizon, possibly drowned out by the last glow of sunset.
  • Uranus & Neptune – The deep cuts. You’ll need a telescope (or at least binoculars) to see these two.

Pluto—once a planet, now a galactic outcast—won’t make an appearance. It’ll be below the horizon, much like its planetary status.

Where to Watch in Charlotte

Light pollution could make seeing all seven planets a challenge. If you want a clearer view, head to:

  • 🌌 McDowell Nature Preserve – Dark skies, minimal city glare.
  • 🌲 Latta Nature Preserve – A solid mix of nature and visibility.
  • 🌊 Lake Norman State Park – If you want to make a night of it.

For everyone else, a rooftop bar and a decent pair of binoculars might be the best bet. If you’re planning to squint at the sky from your apartment window, good luck.

A Bonus Surprise?

As if seven planets weren’t enough, astronomers are also keeping an eye on T Coronae Borealis—a star system known for its unpredictable explosions. This “Blaze Star” flares up roughly every 80 years, and scientists think it’s overdue for a show. If it happens soon, it will be bright enough to see with the naked eye, adding an unexpected spark to the planet parade.

“We’ve been waiting for this one to pop for a while now,” said Dr. Pamela Gay, a planetary scientist. “It could happen any day. Or it could take its sweet time. Stars don’t care about our schedules.”

No Special Equipment? No Problem

If you just want to see the brightest planets, you won’t need anything but your eyes. Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, and Venus will be visible without assistance. But if you’re serious about spotting Neptune, Uranus, or even Saturn, a telescope or binoculars will help.

Sky-watching apps (yes, they work) can also assist in pinpointing each planet. Just don’t confuse a streetlight for Venus—it happens more than you think.

If You Miss It, Here’s When to Try Again

  • August 2025 – Another planetary lineup, but fewer planets in the mix.
  • October 2028 – The next full parade. Mark your calendar—or hope AI is good enough by then to generate a convincing sky for your AR headset.

The universe doesn’t do these kinds of performances often—at least, not where we can see them.

Brought to You by Glory Days Apparel

If you love nostalgia, Glory Days Apparel has you covered—literally. Their Charlotte-themed apparel turns local history into wearable conversation pieces, celebrating everything from old-school Hornets gear to neighborhood pride. If the planets can have a reunion, so can your wardrobe.

Go grab a limited-edition tee, because much like a planetary alignment, these drops don’t last forever.

Everything Charlotte, Every Day

At The Charlotte Mercury, we cover everything you need to know about the Queen City—from city hall drama to the best coffee spots. Bookmark us at cltmercury.com and dive into the latest:

And if you have a hot tip, complaint, or conspiracy theory about the streetcar, you can always message us on X.com—or, as we still call it, Twix.

Jack Beckett | Senior Writer, Charlotte Mercury

Fueled by caffeine, sarcasm, and an irrational hope that Pluto will be reinstated as a planet. ☕🚀

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