Skywatchers will have a chance to witness a rare celestial display on August 12, when six planets will appear across the sky in the same general direction before sunrise.

Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune will appear to form a broad arc stretching from the eastern horizon toward the southwestern sky.

Astronomers clarify that the planets will not actually be arranged in a straight line in space. The apparent alignment is an effect created by viewing the planets from Earth and is commonly described as a planetary parade.

Mars and Saturn should be relatively easier to spot with the naked eye, while Mercury and Jupiter may be harder to observe because they will appear close to the horizon.

Uranus and Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope for a clearer view. Experts recommend finding a location with a clear, unobstructed eastern horizon and limited light pollution for the best viewing experience.

The celestial show will also coincide with another major astronomical event. The Perseid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak around the same time, giving skywatchers another reason to look up.

The relatively dark sky created by the New Moon is expected to provide favorable conditions for observing meteors, as moonlight will not significantly interfere with the display.

For the best experience, observers should head outdoors before sunrise, allow their eyes time to adjust to the darkness and avoid bright artificial lights.

The combination of the planetary parade and Perseid meteor shower could make August 12 an especially exciting night for astronomy enthusiasts.