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Jupiter rising, Venus setting

By in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | May 11, 2018

Venus and Jupiter are the sky’s 2 brightest planets, and they hang on either side of your sky now – Jupiter in the east and Venus in the west – shortly after the sun goes down.

As seen from around the globe, Venus – the brightest planet – is in the west after sunset now. The star to the left of Venus in this photo is Aldebaran, brightest star in Taurus the Bull. Photo taken May 9, 2018, by Peter Lowenstein in Mutare, Zimbabwe.

At the same time you’re seeing Venus in the west, you can also see Jupiter – the second-brightest planet – ascending in the east after sunset. As if on 2 ends of a seesaw, Jupiter rises, while Venus sets. Photo taken May 9, 2018, by Peter Lowenstein in Mutare, Zimbabwe.

Read more: EarthSky’s guide to the bright planets

Peter Lowenstein

Peter Lowenstein

Dr. Peter Lowenstein has contributed many beautiful and fascinating images and stories to EarthSky. Trained as a geochemist, he spent his early years with the Geological Survey of Papua New Guinea, specializing in metals and volcanoes. In 1989, he moved to the Zimbabwe Geological Survey as Chief Economic Geologist and has lived and worked in Zimbabwe ever since. Peter is now retired to Zimbabwe, in a house with a beautiful view in Murambi East, Mutare, where he pursues favorite hobbies including construction of electronic gadgets, listening to music, gardening, surfing the Internet ... and photography.

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