The sky’s two brightest planets – Venus and Jupiter – staged 2014’s closest planet-planet conjunction before dawn on August 18. Central Europe had the best view of these two bright worlds less than a moon diameter apart, but they have beautiful from around the world for many days … and will stay beautiful for many days more. Don’t miss the planets on August 22 and August 23, when the waning crescent moon will be nearby. Thanks to EarthSky friends on Facebook, who captured these beautiful photos over the past few mornings.
Bottom line: The two bright object in the east before dawn around August 17 and 18 are Venus and Jupiter. They will be in conjunction on August 18, 2014 – the closest planet-planet conjunction of this year. The two will be a moon diameter apart on the 18th.
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.
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