![\"Mercury](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778967430_853_0x0.jpg\")
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Exactly how, when and where to see Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Mercury in May 2026. <\/p>\n
getty<\/p>\n
Have you seen the bright star in the west after sunset? It\u2019s Venus \u2014 and it\u2019s about to do something spectacular.<\/p>\n
On June 9-11, Earth\u2019s sister planet will appear to tangle with Jupiter in the night sky \u2014 again, just after sunset \u2014 as the two planets\u2019 orbital paths momentarily align as seen from Earth.<\/p>\n
It comes as a few planets are now visible in the pre-dawn hours, making May\u2019s \u201cplanet parade\u201d a two-session affair, but unmissable all the same. If you want to get a solar system-wide perspective on exactly what\u2019s going on, take a look at The Planets Today<\/a> for a live view. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll see, and when, this weekend and beyond:<\/p>\n Venus, with a crescent moon on the right \u2014 exactly what skywatchers will see 45 minutes after sunset on Monday, May 18, 2026.<\/p>\n gettyLook West After Sunset For Venus, Jupiter And A Crescent Moon<\/p>\n It\u2019s perhaps the easiest kind of stargazing there is \u2014 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 \u2014 about 45 minutes after sunset where you are<\/a> \u2014 will get you sights of both Venus and Jupiter in the southwestern twilight sky.<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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 \u2014 and add to the splendor of \u2014 the planet parade. In time, it will be spectacular, as Venus and Jupiter pass each other closely on June 9 \u2014 and this weekend, see both within the constellation Gemini. Here are the highlights coming up:<\/p>\n Sunday, May 17: It\u2019s 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\u2019ll 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 \u201cEvening Star.\u201d 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\u2019s planetary parade. Look for it below Venus, very close to the horizon \u2014 though it will get higher each evening through early June.<\/p>\n Look 90 minutes to an hour before sunrise and you’ll see Mars and Saturn due east. <\/p>\n StellariumLook East Before Sunrise For Saturn And Mars<\/p>\n