After two nights of Northern Lights in the Netherlands, the Dutch skies are hosting another magical spectacle tonight: the kiss of Venus and Jupiter.
The two planets have been seen moving towards each other for the past few days. Tonight, in what is called a “planetary conjunction,” their long-anticipated date will take place!
The best part? You can see it all with the naked eye — and here’s how! 👁️
Look up!
Between 7.30 and 8.30 PM, after the sun has gone down, the phenomenon will easily be observable by simply looking up at the night sky.
As Wim Schmidt of the observatory Sonnenborgh tells RTL Nieuws, it is best to “look southwest and a little low. Venus and Jupiter will be the brightest dots you see in the sky.” 🔭
Don’t wait too long to look up though! After 8.30 PM, the planets will become less visible.
Jupiter and Venus❤️ pic.twitter.com/XJ4ArTuKOg
— Baka Shencou (@bIauwezee) March 1, 2023
Once you spot those two bright orbs tonight, it’s best to know what you’re looking at. Jupiter will be the upper planet, and Venus will be below it.
From March 2 onwards, as the planets move away from each other, the tables will turn, and they will switch positions. 🪐
Why is this happening?
As you may or may not know: all planets orbit around the sun. ☀️
When they pass each other by, astronomer Milo Grootjen explains to RTL Nieuws, it seems to us as if they are very close together.
Ik zit nu op de bank in mijn woonkamer en kan dus Jupiter en Venus zien! pic.twitter.com/p4To6Y8PxL
— mariska (@mar_1969) February 27, 2023
But although it may seem like Venus and Jupiter are close to one another, their actual distance from each other is around 670,400,000 kilometres! 🤯
If we put that into perspective: To cross the distance between the two planets, you’d have to travel 77 years by plane, or 765 years by car. ✈️
Nonetheless, the proximity between Venus and Jupiter tonight is a rare sight, and won’t happen again until 2040. So keep your eyes peeled to observe the glorious sight. ✨
Will you keep an eye out for the kiss between Jupiter and Venus? Tell us in the comments!