Three Planets

Dallas Morning News reported 3 planets align: A new constellation in the sky

Worlds aren't colliding, but they'll look pretty close to it. Through Sunday night, Mercury, Venus and Saturn will appear to be so close together that the trio will look like a new constellation.

Viewing: The best time is 30 to 45 minutes after sunset. Look in the western sky. Venus, which will be between Mercury and Saturn, will give off a very bright light. Mercury, to Venus' right, will give off a pinkish hue. Saturn will look white. Jack Horkheimer, host of Miami-based PBS show Jack Horkheimer: Star Gazer, recommended using binoculars or telescopes to see some of the planets' striking details, such as Saturn's rings.

Just a coincidence: Scientists said the grouping is a coincidence of the planets' orbits, and occurs every five to 10 years. It will be followed Monday night with Mercury and Venus separated by such a small distance that some might mistake the two for one large star. That event isn't expected to happen again until 2070.

No galactic danger: There's no threat of collision. The planets will still be millions of miles from one another, but from Earth they'll look as if they're side by side.