Jupiter and Venus, the two brightest planets in the sky, have been getting closer during the previous few weeks. This night-sky dance will reach a climax after sunset this coming Wednesday and Thursday when the two planets will appear to be virtually touching – a stunning Jupiter-Venus conjunction.
This planetary conjunction occurs around every 13 months, so this is your only opportunity to witness the stunning occurrence this year.
Why Do Jupiter, Venus Shine Brightly?
Jupiter and Venus should be visible to the naked eye from practically any place on Earth, as long as the weather is clear and there are no clouds in the way.
In terms of solar system order, Venus is next to Earth, making it easier to observe than others. According to EarthSky, the planet also contains thick, reflective clouds that reflect sunlight onto us, which is why it is so brilliant. It has a magnitude of -4.0, which is similar to the moon’s -6.0 magnitude when it is in its crescent phase.
Meanwhile, Jupiter’s brightness stems from its status as the largest planet in our solar system, despite its distance from Earth.
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How To Spot These Planets?
The alignment will occur on the night of March 1 into March 2. According to EarthSky, the closest coupling will occur shortly after sunset Wednesday, and viewers should be able to see Jupiter on the left and Venus on the right by facing west.
They will appear close to one other throughout the night. On March 2, the two planets will still be close to each other, but Venus will be northwest of Jupiter.
Even if you miss the conjunction, Jupiter and Venus will be visible for a long time. According to EarthSky, Jupiter will fade behind the sunset glare somewhere in March, whereas Venus will be visible until August.
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