For the past few days, the two brightest planets have offered us the spectacle of a marvelous celestial ballet. A dance that will lead Jupiter and Venus to an unmissable rapprochement, Wednesday 1is mars 2023.
Wednesday 1is March 2023. The date is marked on the calendar of astronomers. It is that predicted from a conjunction between two planets of our Solar System, Venus and Jupiter. An event that is not really exceptional since the two planets have a habit of crossing and getting closer to each other. This happens regarding once a year. In 2015, they were almost “grazed”appearing at a visual distance of only regarding 22 minutes of arc.
This time, Jupiter and Venus will remain just a little further apart, 0.5 degrees of arc. It is the equivalent of the apparent diameter of the full Moon. But the show should still be wonderful. With, in the leading roles, the two brightest planets in the sky. Currently, Jupiter’s magnitude is -2.2 and Venus’s is -4.4. This makes them very easy to observe. Including in town. Provided all the same to have a clear view of the western horizon.
Jupiter and Venus put on a show
Observers will have noticed that for a few days already, Jupiter and Venus have started their nocturnal ballet. They even invited the Moon into the dance on February 22. To appreciate the choreography yourself, all you have to do is turn your gaze to the west as soon as the sun sets.
Last recommendation, when you admire the spectacle offered by Jupiter, the god of gods, and Venus, the goddess of love. Don’t forget that this is neither more nor less than a beautiful illusion. Because in reality, the two planets in orbit around the Sun remain very far from each other. Without any risk of colliding.
