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Credit & Copyright: Michael Luy
(Trier Observatory)
Explanation:
This was a sky to show the kids.
Early this month the two brightest planets in the night sky,
Jupiter and Venus, appeared to
converge.
At their closest, the
two planets
were separated by only about the angular width of the
full moon.
The spectacle occurred just after sunset and was seen and
photographed all across
planet Earth.
The displayed image
was taken near to the time of closest approach from
Wiltingen,
Germany, and features the astrophotographer,
spouse, and their two children.
Of course, Venus remains much closer to both the
Sun and the Earth than Jupiter --
the apparent closeness between the planets in the sky of
Earth was only
angular.
Jupiter and Venus have passed and now appear increasingly far apart.
Similar planetary convergence opportunities will
eventually arise.
In a few months, for example,
Mars and Venus
will appear to congregate just as the Sun sets.
Jupiter & Venus Conjunction Gallery:
Notable Submissions to APOD
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Jupiter - Venus
Publications with words: Jupiter - Venus
See also: