When we have five or more planets filing into a small sky area, an alignment is upgraded to parade status. Parade is not an official astronomical term and is used fast, loose and with a touch more whimsy than space experts usually allow for.

Houstonians will be able to see seven planets in the sky this weekend in what's called a planetary parade. Unfortunately, however, some may not be spotted with the naked eye. Just after dark, it will be possible to view Mercury,

An alignment of seven planets will be visible in Friday's evening sky. Here's when and where to view the celestial phenomenon from Texas.

The seven will appear to form a straight line in the night sky in display that won’t be seen again until 2040