Planetary Parade - You Can Still Catch Almost All Of Them

Stargazing Guide: Catch the Six-Planet Parade Near Dallas-Fort Worth

Posted on August 21, 2025

Don’t miss your chance to witness a stunning celestial event! A six-planet parade—featuring Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—is visible in the pre-dawn sky near Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) on August 22, 2025. While the peak was August 18–20, you can still catch bright planets like Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn with minimal travel. Here’s your guide to stargazing from DFW without going far!

What’s Happening?

This “planetary parade” isn’t a perfect alignment but a rare chance to see six planets in the same region of the eastern sky before sunrise. Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn are visible to the naked eye, while Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune may need binoculars or a telescope. A thin 4% crescent Moon adds to the view but is tricky to spot.

When and Where to Look

Time: Set your alarm for 4:45–5:00 AM CDT on August 22, 2025. Look east between 5:00–5:45 AM, about 45–20 minutes before sunrise (around 6:05 AM CDT). Mercury fades fast, so don’t wait too long!

What You’ll See:

  • Venus & Jupiter: Bright, high in the eastern sky (20–30° above the horizon).
  • Saturn: Yellowish, high in the southern sky, visible without equipment.
  • Mercury: Low on the eastern horizon, faint and tough to spot in DFW’s light pollution.
  • Uranus & Neptune: Faint; need binoculars or a telescope (Uranus near the Pleiades, Neptune near Saturn).
  • Crescent Moon: A 4% waning crescent near Mercury, likely too faint without binoculars.
Google Sky Maps makes it easy to see.

Best Spots Near DFW

DFW’s light pollution (Bortle 7–8) makes fainter planets like Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune harder to see, so choose a spot with a clear eastern horizon and minimal lights. Here are top locations within a short drive:

1. Cedar Hill State Park (20–30 min from Dallas)

Why: Darker skies (Bortle 5–6) and open fields by Joe Pool Lake.

Details: 1570 FM1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104. Gates open at 6:00 AM, but arrive by 4:30 AM and set up near the entrance. Try Penn Farm or lakefront areas.

Cost: $7/adult (day-use fee if entering after 6:00 AM).

2. Tandy Hills Natural Area (10–15 min from Fort Worth)

Why: Elevated hills with less light pollution (Bortle 6).

Details: 3400 View St, Fort Worth, TX 76103. Open early morning. Set up in open fields facing east.

Cost: Free.

3. Lake Grapevine – Murrell Park (20–30 min from DFW Airport)

Why: Clear eastern view over the lake (Bortle 5–6).

Details: 880 Simmons Rd, Flower Mound, TX 75022. Open 24 hours. Use boat ramps or picnic areas.

Cost: Free.

4. Eagle Mountain Lake – Fort Worth Nature Center (20–25 min from Fort Worth)

Why: Dark skies (Bortle 5) and open prairies.

Details: 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76135. Opens 5:00 AM. Try bison viewing areas.

Cost: $5/adult.

5. Your Backyard or Local Park (0–10 min)

Why: Convenient if you have a clear eastern horizon.

Details: Try Klyde Warren Park (Dallas) or Trinity Park (Fort Worth). Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn are bright enough to see despite light pollution.

Cost: Free.

Pro Tip

Check the weather! DFW’s forecast for August 22 morning shows partly cloudy skies, 78°F, and 60% humidity. Use weather.gov or apps like Clear Outside for updates. Clouds or haze may hide Mercury and the Moon.

Stargazing Tips

  • Equipment: Bring binoculars (7x50 or 10x50) for Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune. A telescope (25x for Saturn’s rings, 50x for Uranus, 150x for Neptune) is ideal. Download Stellarium (free) or Sky Tonight for planet tracking (set to 32.78°N, 96.8°W).
  • Prep: Wear long sleeves, bring a chair or blanket, and use bug spray. A red flashlight preserves night vision.
  • Safety: Stop observing by 5:45 AM to avoid pointing binoculars/telescopes near the rising Sun, which can cause eye damage.
  • Community: Check if the Fort Worth Astronomical Society or Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas is hosting events. Follow them on X for updates.

Why Tonight’s View Is Waning

The six-planet parade peaked August 18–20, and by August 22, Mercury is nearly lost in the Sun’s glare, with the Moon too faint to see easily. Focus on Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn for the best experience. Mark your calendar for February 28, 2026, for a more vibrant evening planetary parade!

Share Your Experience!

Grab your binoculars, head to one of these spots, and marvel at the cosmos from DFW. Share your photos or tips on X with #DFWStargazing. Happy skywatching!

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