RARE PHENOMENON UP IN THE SKY WHERE JUPITER MEETS VENUS

by: Sophia Wang

A scarce stargazing moment at night when the two brightest planets in the Milky Way converge on August 12.

When two planets meet up with each other, it is known as a conjunction and takes place over several days. The Venus and Jupiter conjunction occurs every 13 months. A year on Venus is shorter than a day, but Jupiter’s day only lasts 10 hours on Earth. In reality, Venus and Jupiter are millions of miles away from each other. In the sky, it seems like they are close enough to touch each other. Venus, named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, can be deadly due to a toxic atmosphere. Jupiter is a gas giant made up of liquids and gases, named after the Roman king of thunder, and is known for a “red spot” which is actually a 300-year-old storm.

The best time to watch this rare conjunction is on the date 11 or 12 August. The chance of getting to see the 2 planets so close to each other is incredibly lucky. According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, Venus will shine more brightly than Jupiter. Venus will have a more white glow and Jupiter will be more gold. For a good view, find a high spot with no trees blocking your the sky. No telescopes would be required because you should be able to see the conjunction without any special equipment.

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-https://www.rmg.co.uk/

-https://www.universetoday.com/