Are you curious about the rare and unusual wonders happening in the natural world right now? From the sky above to the ground beneath our feet, our planet is putting on some incredible shows this month. This guide will walk you through the most fascinating natural phenomena you can witness, explaining what they are and how you can see them.
One of the most anticipated astronomical events of the year is happening in the pre-dawn hours of early June. A rare alignment of six planets will be visible in the morning sky, offering a unique viewing opportunity for stargazers. This isn’t just a simple lineup; it’s a chance to see a significant portion of our solar system stretched across the sky at once.
A planetary alignment, sometimes called a “planet parade,” occurs when several planets appear close together on one side of the Sun from our perspective on Earth. While they look like they’re in a straight line, they are of course still millions of miles apart in their own orbits. These events are special because the planets orbit the Sun at different speeds and on different planes, so getting them to line up in our sky is a matter of celestial timing.
The planets participating in this early June alignment are Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Jupiter and Mercury will be very close to the horizon, making them the most challenging to spot. Mars and Saturn will be higher and easier to identify. Uranus and Neptune will be faint and require binoculars or a small telescope for a clear view.
On the ground, a truly historic biological event is unfolding across the central and southeastern United States. For the first time since 1803, two different broods of periodical cicadas are emerging from the ground at the same time. This is a natural phenomenon that won’t happen again until the year 2245.
Periodical cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots. They emerge in massive, synchronized numbers every 13 or 17 years to mate and lay eggs before their life cycle ends. This month, two specific broods are emerging simultaneously:
The mathematical rarity of a 13-year and 17-year cycle aligning is what makes this event so special. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for most people.
The emergence is concentrated in the Midwest and Southeast. The two broods will be adjacent to each other, with a small area of potential overlap in central Illinois.
The cicadas are harmless to humans and pets. Their main impact is their sheer numbers and the loud, constant mating “song” produced by the males, which can reach over 100 decibels. This is a powerful, immersive experience of nature at its most abundant.
The Sun is currently reaching the peak of its roughly 11-year activity cycle, known as the “solar maximum.” This peak in activity means we are seeing more sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). When a CME sends a wave of charged particles toward Earth, it interacts with our planet’s magnetic field and atmosphere, creating the spectacular light show known as the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights.
Because we are at the peak of Solar Cycle 25, the auroras have been stronger and more frequent than they have been in over a decade. In fact, a recent powerful solar storm in May brought the Northern Lights to latitudes as far south as Florida and Mexico, a truly rare occurrence. While an event of that magnitude isn’t guaranteed every week, the chances of seeing auroras at lower-than-usual latitudes remain very high throughout this period of peak solar activity.
Along many coastlines, spring and summer months bring an increased chance of witnessing bioluminescence. This phenomenon occurs when tiny marine organisms, most commonly a type of plankton called dinoflagellates, are disturbed and emit a bright blue light as a defense mechanism.
During the day, a high concentration of these organisms can appear as a reddish-brown patch in the water, often called a “red tide.” But the real magic happens at night. Any movement in the water, from a breaking wave to a hand splashing the surface, can trigger the plankton to light up, creating an ethereal, glowing effect.
Are the emerging cicadas dangerous? No, periodical cicadas are not dangerous. They do not bite or sting and are not poisonous. They are primarily a nuisance due to their loud noise and large numbers, and they can cause minor damage to very young trees when they lay their eggs.
What is the best way to photograph the planetary alignment? You will likely need a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls and a tripod. Use a longer exposure to capture the faint light of the planets, but not so long that they begin to streak across the frame. A lens with a focal length between 35mm and 85mm is a good starting point.
How can I know for sure if the Northern Lights will be visible tonight? Check a reliable source like the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center’s 30-minute forecast. They use a “Kp-index” from 0 to 9 to measure geomagnetic activity. A Kp-index of 5 or higher means a good chance of seeing the aurora in the northern United States, while higher numbers indicate visibility farther south.