June sky: 5 planets align

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Dead planets can 'broadcast' their 'zombie signals' for almost a billion years, study says

Planets killed by dying stars release 'zombie signals' for almost a billion years while dying.

Five naked-eye planets are visible throughout the month of June, according to reports. 

Sky & Telescope magazine, a publication by the American Astronomical Society, says that viewers can see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – in their natural order from the sun – throughout the month, with Mercury easier to spot later on.

The monthly magazine said in a release that the last time the five naked-eye planets were visible in sequence was in December 2004.

NASA reports that the crescent moon will join the increasingly spaced out planetary procession on the morning of the 23rd. 

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Skywatchers will have an hour to view the celestial spectacle on the eastern horizon before the rising sun washes it out.

Planets continue to make a show in the morning before sunrise in June, with the moon joining the lineup on the 23rd.  (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

However, NASA noted that the gathering is beginning to come apart.

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"The gathering of four naked-eye planets we've been enjoying in the morning sky for the past few months – including several close conjunctions, is beginning to break up," it wrote. 

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"Over the next few months, Saturn, Mars, Jupiter and Venus will appear increasingly spread out across the morning sky – so much so that Venus and Saturn will make their exits as morning objects for most observers by September," it said.

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Diana Hannikainen, Sky & Telescope's Observing editor, told NPR that the planets will line up again in 2040.