See 5 planets align in order for first time in 18 years

Five naked-eye planets are having a rare solar system reunion.

Early risers can see the planets in the sky from low in the east to high in the south. Astronomers call it conjunction.

The planets are visible from the sun in their natural order. Sky & Telescope magazine says this hasn't happened since 2004.

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It is fairly common to have two or three planets strung across the sky.

"Planetary conjunctions are more the stuff of astrology than serious astronomy, but they never fail to impress during observations, particularly when the gas giants are involved."

The parade of planets is getting better. Mercury will be much easier to find on Friday, June 24. The best time to view the conjunction is after dawn, when the sun is setting.

The magazine said that the waning crescent Moon positioned between Venus and Mars was the real bonus.

If the weather forecast is cloudy on Friday, experts recommend looking at the southeastern horizon.

The planets will appear to spread out more and more each day. The two planets will leave the stage by September.