The whole world can see the two bright lights in the west after sunset now, but, for the Northern Hemisphere, mid-March 2012 presents the best time to see a Venus-Jupiter conjunction in the evening for years to come. At mid-northern latitudes, these two brightest planets – Venus and Jupiter – stay out for nearly four hours after sunset. That’s about the longest period possible at these latitudes. No matter where you are on Earth now, you can’t miss these two worlds in the west as darkness falls.
And in the opposite direction at nightfall – looking east – you can’t miss the ruddy planet Mars. This world won’t be so brilliant in our sky again until April 2014. Mars shines from dusk till dawn, whereas Venus and Mars set four hours after sunset at mid-northern latitudes.
March 15, 2012 presents the exact date of conjunction, when these two worlds have the same right ascension (like longitude on Earth) in Earth’s sky. But Venus and Jupiter are close throughout the month of March 2012. They are like twin beacons – two very bright planets – near each other in the west as soon as the sun goes down.
Last month, on February 23, Venus and Jupiter were much farther apart. Photo: timl2k11
The next Venus-Jupiter conjunction after this one falls on May 28, 2013. Although Venus and Jupiter will be closer together on the sky’s dome during that conjunction, they won’t be as spectacular then as they are this month. That’s because, in May 2013, the two planets will set only a little more than one hour after the sun (at mid-northern latitudes).
Why are Venus and Jupiter up so long after sunset now? For any Venus-Jupiter conjunction to light up the nighttime for a maximum time after dark, a perfect storm of conditions has to prevail. First of all, Venus has to be at or near its greatest evening elongation – farthest angular distance from the setting sun. Second, the ecliptic – or pathway of the planets – has to make its steepest angle with the sunset horizon. Both of these conditions exist this month. The greatest elongation for Venus – when this planet is due to be farthest from the sunset – will happen on March 27, 2012. As for the angle of the ecliptic, it could not be more ideal than March for evening viewing, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
The close coincidence of Venus and Jupiter in conjunction, the steep angle of the ecliptic and Venus’ greatest evening elongation keeps these worlds up for several hours after dark – and ensures the Northern Hemisphere of a beautiful gathering of worlds in the western evening sky this month. They are well worth getting outside to see.
Bottom line: Venus and Jupiter are in conjunction on March 15, 2012. This is the best evening Venus-Jupiter conjunction for years, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. Venus and Jupiter stay out for nearly four hours after sunset. Venus and Jupiter are close throughout the month of March 2012. They are like twin beacons – two very bright planets – near each other in the west as soon as the sun goes down.
Looking to the west and seeing Jupiter and Venus so big and bright and appearing so close is quite a site. I will tell my former astronomy students (4th graders in New Jersey) to look up. Now, I must find Mars. Thank you for the information.
Mars is there, look to the East!!!
Greetings from Philadelphia P.A.!
I was just outside on this lovely springlike and very clear evening, gazing into the night sky at Jupiter and Venus! Stunningly beautiful!! I’m looking forward to seeing the two planets when they are conjunct tomorrow night!! “Amazing”
Just to say how i like what you said,especially ‘springlike’ evening,because it was first Spring’s day we had this year.Amazing,is right word!
I need some binoculars i will buy me one tomorrow this is amazing naked eye let”s get it on !!!!!! later from space city.
Greetings from Philadelphia P.A.!
I was just outside on this lovely springlike and very clear evening, gazing into the night sky at Jupiter and Venus! Stunningly beautiful!! I’m looking forward to seeing the two planets when they are conjunct tomorrow night!
“Amazing”
Wow! Amazing, I noticed two bright stars last month and didnt know what they were. Now I know they are planets. I take my dog out at early evening just to see them. I just have to watch out for the skunks. :( In New England it is very warm for this time of year. Spring has sprung a month early.
My wife and I just view the them, they are spectacular! We live 30 mile south of Savannah, Ga. , far from city light’s. The light from the two plants is so bright it is illuminating the ground and blocking the view of the star field in it general vicinity.
Ain’t fun!
Great night to introduce my son to star gazing using my 4″ Newtonian.
Able to see 4 moons of Jupiter. Stunningly exciting….
my view ,from the balcony was awesome! see you tommorow.
Great view from Arizona. Easy to watch tonight when it’s 67.
Venus and Pluto look so amazing tonight. What a spectacular vision.
Feeling a lot of love for our beautiful universe these days. And a lot of love in general. Maybe it is because Venus is high in the sky, with Jupiter… I feel a sense of happiness come over me every time I look up and see them there. Absolutely stunning.
Our sky is very beautiful. You feel such a peacefulness and calmness about yourself because the Bible tells us the sky declares the glory of God to all of humanity.
I have one question were is the moon im in fort worth texas and i see venus n jupiter but i dont see the moon why explain please????
I have been watching for the longest at these 2 stars wondering what stars they were. 3 nights ago when it was supper bright I looked it up and thought it was the Messier10, theywere right above our house we could walk out on our porch and look up and see it. Each night after it is farther away and tonight here in Arlington Tx. it isn’t near as bright as it has been and they are the only 2 out at 10 pm. It looks like they are loosing their glow power lol :(. well glad to finally know what these 2 stars are called.
Nancy G.
I live in NYC where there is more light pollution than anywhere else in the states. I have NEVER seen anything as naturally bright as Venus and Jupiter were tonight. I can only imagine how stunning it must be from the tip of Cape Cod or at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. These planets made the empire state building look dull.
Came out of work tonight to see the two planets in the Western sky. Came home to check out which two planets they are. Here in Minnesota they really do look spectacular. Hope to see them all through the month. Hoping to get a glimpse of Mars in the East.
It is lucky time for me as Jupiter and Venus are my favourable and good wishing planets…
I just saw Jupiter and Venus tonight!!! At first I thought they were stars!!
My daughter just sent me your link & I didn’t think this was true until I just came back from outside. I cannot believe how beautiful and brilliant these planets look tonight and to think how far away they are, and that we can see them like this, is amazing & incredible! Makes me feel pretty small being down here on little old Earth!
Gayle
Chino Hills, CA
9:40PM PST
8:20pm innisfil, ontario…clear night! venus and jupiter so bright! high on the east the reddish planet mars…what a view!
Stepped out onto the lanai here in Hawaii and saw two very bright lights in the sky. At first glance I thought they were helicopters or something from the Air Force base, then I hopped on Google and found my answer here. How cool to see Venus and Jupiter like that! Really pretty.
[...] http://earthsky.org/tonight/best-venusjupiter-conjunction-in-years-mid-march-2012 Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This entry was posted in Uncategorized.Bookmark the permalink. Las? un comentariu [...]
Greeting from Dubai! I’ve always loved gazing night sky with twinkling stars… Jupiter & Venus was supper bright last night…spectacular view indeed! I’m anxiously looking forward to seeing the conjunction of 2 beautiful planets tonight :) enjoy the great celestial view peeps!
i seen them move across the sky so i know venus is venus starship and jupiter dosnt exist because in 2008 it was ignited as earths second sun
nasa wont tell u this
go to unlimited 2012 and there’s a few links on there that say when jupiter was ignited and about the stars what were realy seeing believe it or not
It does look amazing! Sad that none of my friends care. Great view here from the Philippines and it’s just after sunset.
[...] http://earthsky.org/tonight/best-venusjupiter-conjunction-in-years-mid-march-2012 [...]
[...] Best Venus-Jupiter conjunction in years in mid-March 2012 How to see Mars in March 2012 Illustrated guide to Venus and Jupiter conjunction in March 2012 [...]
[...] replies that in fact there was recently a shift in the alignment of the planets, so maybe she’s tuned in to that. She gets REALLY excited and mentions that even though she [...]
[...] term “conjunction” is an astronomy-geek term, meaning that planets – in this case, Venus and Jupiter – [...]
Greetings from Chi-town! It’s a beautiful winter evening in Chicago and 70 degrees. A record for this date and Venus and Jupiter are blazing away in the western sky. They are absolutely beautiful! Mars is chasing them and looks spectacular to the east of the city…
[...] update: Venus, Jupiter, and March are clearly visible in the early evening sky now. Look up as dusk falls. March 15 is the best night for the appearance of the convergence of Venus and Jupiter in the sky – they will appear very close to each other. Though cloud cover obscured the view on the 15th, for some time you’ll still see the two planets close to each other. Mars is now quite visible on the opposite side of the sky (the east) of those bright beauties. Learn more about this “conjunction” event here at EarthSky [...]
[...] know until today is that March 15th marked the pinnacle of a very special night-sky show. EarthSky puts it like this: The whole world can see the two bright lights in the west after sunset now, but, [...]
I am delighted as well,just came back from the terrace,after watching them in the sky.I noticed two planets some time ago,and i found out later what they are,although it is not hard to suppose such an imposing ‘star’ to shine in the night sky,is probably a planet.
My location is Serbia
Thank you!
not quite 9 pm here in vancouver bc…sky indigo blue and the jewels of jupiter venus delight the night! mars burnt orange in the east…I am fortunate to be in their realm of radiance this eventide…
[...] the first day of spring! Venus and Jupiter will be in conjunction about now. Celebrate the new warm seasons, new growth, and ready [...]
[...] chose the Space Centre because the kids had displayed such an interest in the recent planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Venus. I’m glad we went because it’s in such a cool building. Glass light sculpture in [...]
We live in the Washington suburbs, with serious light pollution. For the last couple of weeks we’ve been following the Venus-Jupiter ballet. Last night (early 20 March) was the equinox, so we know the angle at which Earth was lined up with its orbit. I looked out to the east … and there was Mars, hanging in the same great circle as the other two planets. We’ve lived and travelled in rural areas before and have had great sense of wonder on other occasions, including two astronomy get-togethers, but this “first” is superb for eyeballed urban astronomy.
[...] March 14th is notable for a conjunction between Venus and Jupiter. You can read more about that here. Honestly though, I didn’t really notice anything unusual about the sky that morning except [...]
[...] Thank God for the internet because I went straight in and put in ‘two bright stars western sky’ and my location in Ireland and up popped this link. [...]
This is a gift from sister
bonnie from Toronto and niece and nephew Maeve andCaleb, which they discovered in Italy, where they visited recently. I am intriqued. It is beautiful in the Vermont sky over Bennington and I am telling my friends not to miss this magical moment to be alive.
[...] March 14th is notable for a conjunction between Venus and Jupiter. You can read more about that here. Honestly though, I didn’t really notice anything unusual about the sky that morning except [...]
March 25, 20121
I too have been watching these two stars (planets) since the middle of the month here in Granite City IL. Some nights have been rainy and the stars are not visible…but last night, viewing along with the crescent shaped moon…they were an awesome sight.
I am sending out emails to many contacts tonight and calling attention to this spectacular sight…while the planets are in view with the moon.
For the location of Granite City IL…it is best recognized as being just across the Mississippi River and around five minutes to the east of, St Louis Missouri.
[...] to the article of Best Venus-Jupiter conjunction in years in mid-March 2012, the Venus and Jupiter would be seen very close together in the mid-March 2012. And so the picture [...]
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