Observers of the night sky were able to experience a spectacular sight with the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The phenomenon is clear, and telescopes are not needed because of the full brightness of the planets. This historic event is best experienced with the naked eye.
THE VENUS-JUPITER CONJUNCTION, A SPECTACULAR FEAT
Venus, the brighter planet of the two, will be passing south of Jupiter at 1.4 degrees. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a conjunction is a phenomenon when two or more astronomical entities do the same right ascension. This is due to the travel speed of the moon and the planets. For instance, the planets Uranus and Neptune move relatively slower compared to the other planets in the solar system, taking 84 and 165 years to complete a revolution around the sun, respectively. Because of this, the conjunction between these planets will rarely happen -- only once every 171 years.
The Venus-Jupiter conjunction will also result to appulse or the close approach of two objects. However, the Venus-Jupiter conjunction will be a bit difficult to catch. The pair will be visible 30 minutes after the sunset at 19 degrees just above the horizon. If someone is lucky enough to experience the Venus-Jupiter conjunction, they will no doubt that they see the two bright planets. Venus will appear with a magnitude of -3.9, while Jupiter will appear with the magnitude -1.9, and both can be found in the constellation Sagittarius.
Astronomers suggest that this phenomenon is best experienced with the naked eye since the planets are far away from each other in actuality and are too widely separated to fit within the telescope's field of view. It will also help to find a location with an unobstructed view of the horizon where the Venus-Jupiter conjunction is set to happen. As soon as the sun sets, Venus will be the first one to be visibly followed by Jupiter, more or less 15 minutes later. Sometime within the night, some of the planets will make itself visible, albeit not as bright as the two.
NIGHT SKY CONSTANT
The Venus-Jupiter Conjunction is a common thing that is observed in the night sky. Sometimes, the interval of the Venus-Jupiter Conjunction can be observed within 10 or 15 months and usually happens once a year. However, this year is an exemption since the Venus-Jupiter conjunction already happened twice: once in January and second this month.
Astronomers observed that similar conjunctions are recurring for every 24 years where Venus and Jupiter return to the exact place relative to the sun, moon, and the constellations of the zodiac. With this in mind, it is a fact that the last Venus-Jupiter conjunction similar to this years occurred 24 years ago in 1995 and will again occur in 2043.
The Venus-Jupiter conjunction will be visible throughout the week starting November 24 through the horizon. Astronomers encourage everyone to partake in the observation of this phenomenon. After all, it will take one whole year for the Venus-Jupiter conjunction to occur again, as there will be no conjunction in 2020. The next Venus-Jupiter conjunction will occur in 2021.
