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6d ago

Venus and Jupiter to Align Within One Degree Before Sunrise on August 11–12

Observers can use the east-northeast horizon an hour before dawn to track Jupiter closing in on Venus.

On March 14, 2012, at 8:28 p.m. local time, Venus blazed brightly with Jupiter to its lower left. The photographer took this shot from Dustin, England, when the two planets were 3° apart. Credit: Jamie Cooper
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The planets Venus and Jupiter make an exciting pair to watch from August 6th to the 16th. Credit: M. Bakich/TheSKY software

Overview

  • Jupiter is closing in from a seven-degree separation on August 5 to a 0.9-degree conjunction with Venus on August 11–12.
  • Observers should face east-northeast about an hour before sunrise to catch the planets’ near-alignment with no optical aid needed.
  • Mercury may appear just below Venus around 45 minutes before sunrise during the peak conjunction period.
  • The Perseid meteor shower peaks overnight on August 12–13 but its visibility will be muted by an 84% full moon.
  • This conjunction is part of a planetary parade from August 10–20 that includes Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and a waning crescent moon passing the pair on August 19–20.