Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Planetary Alignment Of Venus and Jupiter Happens Today
Watch Venus Take Jupiter in a Race Around the Sun
That day, at 2:17 pm Universal Time or 10:17 am E.T., the two planets will be at their closest. You can see this unusual sight, known as a conjunction, from just about anywhere in the world.
The optimal viewing location, according to Jackie Faherty, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, is one where the sun sets just as the planets approach one another. Complete darkness is not necessary to see these bright objects, but it helps.
Regardless of where you are, your viewing instructions are simple: At sunset, get away from buildings or trees that might block your view of the western sky. Stick an arm out, give a thumbs up, and squint your eyes. Venus and Jupiter should be about one-third of a degree, or about a thumb’s width, apart.
The following night the planets should be visible as well — their positions will just be slightly different.
"You’re not going to watch them speed past; it’s a slow-moving process," said Dr. Faherty.
Slow, in this case, means that Jupiter is moving at around eight miles a second, while Venus is moving about 22 miles a second.
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