A rare celestial event is underway as two of the brightest planets in our sky, Venus and Jupiter, draw ever closer throughout February 2023. The last time these planets were this close was in 1961, and the next conjunction is not expected until 2065.
Observers have been treated to a breathtaking display as the two planets appear to converge in the sunset direction during evening twilight. Venus has been shining as the brighter of the two planets, but Jupiter is also a striking sight with its bold, white glow.
On February 21 and 22, 2023, the young moon will sweep past Venus and Jupiter, making for a spectacular scene in the evening twilight sky. Even after the moon moves away, Venus and Jupiter will continue to get closer, with their closest pairing set to occur on March 1, 2023. At this point, Venus will pass just half a degree away from Jupiter, fitting inside a single binocular field of view.
In addition to being visually stunning, this conjunction has been an opportunity for astronomers to study the planets’ positions and movements. Observing the night sky has been a significant human activity for thousands of years, and ancient civilizations, such as the Babylonians and Greeks, carefully documented celestial events such as conjunctions.
Jupiter, named after the king of the Roman gods, has been known since ancient times, while Venus, named after the Roman goddess of love, was worshipped as a deity by various cultures. The conjunction of these two planets has undoubtedly captured the imagination of skywatchers throughout history, and this year’s event is no exception.
To make the most of this rare conjunction, observers are encouraged to look west after sunset, where Venus and Jupiter will be shining brightly. By early March, Venus will be shining at a whopping -4.0 magnitude, making it the third-brightest natural body in the sky after the sun and moon.
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