Amy Held

Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury all visible to the naked eye.

Plus Neptune and Uranus with the help of binoculars or a telescope.

Viewing conditions are best soon after sunset without clouds or artificial light getting in the way.

Looking up to catch a planet or two isn't so unusual, but seeing this many is.

As they orbit the sun, the planets of our solar system only align like this with optimal visibility every few years, NASA says.

And unlike faraway stars, which twinkle and look fixed in place, the word planet comes from the ancient Greek for wanderer.

There's another celestial spectacle early Tuesday morning, when the Earth will pass between the sun and the moon, creating a total lunar eclipse and making the moon look red.

It's called a planetary parade.

Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury all visible to the naked eye.

Plus Neptune and Uranus with the help of binoculars or a telescope.

Viewing conditions are best soon after sunset without clouds or artificial light getting in the way.

Looking up to catch a planet or two isn't so unusual.

But seeing this many is.

As they orbit the sun, the planets of our solar system only align like this with optimal visibility every few years, NASA says.

And unlike faraway stars, which twinkle and look fixed in place, the word planet comes from the ancient Greek for wanderer.

There's another celestial spectacle early Tuesday morning, when the Earth will pass between the sun and the moon, creating a total lunar eclipse and making the moon look red.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held.

The Mexican military has killed one of the country's most powerful drug lords, also sought by the U.S.

NPR's Eder Peralta reports his death has now unleashed a new wave of violence.

U.S.-Iran talks seem to be back on, according to foreign ministers from mediator Oman and Iran.