A planetary alignment, also known as a planetary parade, is when several planets appear to line up in a straight line across the sky from Earth's perspective.

This happens when three to eight planets gather on the same side of the sun as the Earth passes them along their ecliptic path. However, the alignment is only an optical illusion, as the planets are actually moving at different speeds depending on their distance from the sun. This means that the alignment is short-lived and may not always include the same number of planets. 

Different types of planetary alignments include:

• Conjunction: Two or more planets appear close together in the sky

• Mini alignment: Three planets

• Small alignment: Four planets

• Large alignment: Five or six planets

• Great or full alignment: All planets in the solar system, and sometimes Pluto 

Planetary alignments can occur several times a year, but alignments with five or more planets are less common. In 2024, there were two planetary alignments, one on June 3 and another on June 29. The June 3 alignment was visible in the New York area, and NASA recommended viewing it about an hour before sunrise in a dark, unlit area with a clear horizon. Some planets were visible to the naked eye, while others required binoculars or a telescope.