Don't own a telescope or pair of binoculars? Don't fret. The astronomical show set to take over the August sky will be "the people's planetary parade" - visible to the naked eye whether you have fancy gear or not.

Starring in the rare celestial line-up will be five of the solar system's eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter.

The orbit of each will put them on the same side of the sun, making all five visible to the naked eye when looking at the western sky throughout August.

"You won't need equipment," said Swinburne University astronomer Alan Duffy. "You'll just have to be lucky enough to get a decent view of the night sky."