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Venus and Jupiter, the two normally brightest planets in our sky, are moving closer in skies worldwide, and will group in the most spectacular conjunction of two planets seen in several years at the end of November. The two reach just over 2 degrees apart in our sky on Nov. 29, and are slightly closer on Nov. 30. Until Dec. 1 (when the two planets lie nearly parallel), look for bright, whitish Jupiter in the southwestern sky above brighter Venus. Jupiter and Venus are both highest each evening in evening twilight but lose altitude early, setting in the west-southwest around...

Jupiter and Venus are in conjunction (next to each other in the sky, as viewed from Earth) today. They've swapped positions over the last 24 hours, so Jupiter is slightly above and to the left of Venus in the early morning sky above the eastern horizon. Take a break, drag yourself away from the keyboard and monitor. Toss on a jacket if it's cold out where you live, step outside and enjoy this sight. Mars is also visible a bit higher in the sky.

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2002 December 4 Moon, Mars, Venus, and Spica Credit & Copyright: Larry Koehn Explanation: Gliding toward today's total eclipse of the Sun, the crescent Moon has been rising early, just before dawn. And as a prelude to its close solar alignment, the Moon also completed a lovely celestial triangle, closing with bright planets Mars and Venus on the morning of December 1. While the total solar eclipse can...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2002 June 25 Venus and Jupiter Over Belfast Credit: Peter Paice Explanation: Venus and Jupiter appeared to glide right past each other earlier this month. In a slow day-by-day march, Jupiter sank into the sunset horizon while Venus remained high and bright. The conjunction ended the five-planet party visible over the last two months. Jupiter, of course, is much further away from the Earth and Sun than Venus,...

Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. 2002 June 19 The Moon & Venus Over Geneva Credit & Copyright: Gregory Giuliani (AstroImagine) Explanation: The Moon, fresh from a biting encounter with the Sun last week, appeared next to threaten Venus. The waxing Moon appeared to glide right past, however, just a few degrees away. Venus, of course, is much further away from the Earth than the Moon, so the passing was really just an angular...