Anytime the night sky’s two brightest planets pass close to each other it is a spectacular event worth watching. Venus, our dazzling ‘Evening Star,’ has been flirting with Jupiter, the king of the planets, for several weeks now.
The new full moon will also make an appearance Thursday night, further lighting up the sky.
“The two bright planets have been dominating our colourful western sky at sunset,” said Dave Reneke, writer for Australasian Science magazine.
Venus and Jupiter appeared to pass so close to each other on Tuesday June 30, that you could have hidden both planets behind the tip of your pinky finger held out at arm’s length.
In real terms, the two planets are over 800 million km apart but to us here on Earth they appear to be almost touching. “What makes the pair so remarkable is their dazzling brightness and their light is so steady, compared to the twinkling light of the stars, Dave said. “They’ll then gradually separate and sink away into the sunset all through July.”
Go outside when it gets dark and have a look in the west to check out the planetary dance for yourself. Yes, your Smartphone camera will give you a nice but small image. For a better shot tripod mount any modern SLR or similar camera and zoom in. The whole lot should fit in your viewfinder.
Venus is the brighter of the two. It’s great to just stare binoculars will certainly enhance your view. Venus will be a dazzling crescent, like a tiny half moon, and Jupiter will appear as a full disc. They will also look great for a few days into July.
Astrologers believe a planetary alignment, similar to this one, occurring in 2BC was the fabled ‘Christmas Star’ that drove the three wise men on their journey. A brilliant beacon like this in the Middle Eastern sky may have been taken as a sign in the heavens. What do you think?