Venus and Mars Conjunction

This week you will be able to watch a conjunction of Venus and Mars! A conjunction is when two astronomical objects appear to approach one another in our sky. The two planets will be approaching each other all week, and on Saturday, February 21st, they will be less than a degree apart. Of course, Venus and Mars are still very far apart, they just look close together from our perspective on Earth. I wrote about a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter last fall. 

Click the picture to enlarge. Venus and Mars tonight, February 16, just after sunset. Venus is exceptionally bright. Mars is pretty faint, but you can see it easily if you find Venus first. Image Credit: Stellarium

Click the picture to enlarge. Venus and Mars on Saturday, February 21st. The two planets will appear less than a degree apart in our sky! Image credit: Stellarium

So what's going on? Why do Venus and Mars look so close together? It's pretty simple really - Venus is lapping Mars as both planets orbit the Sun. They are both on the same side of the Sun right now, and Venus is pulling ahead. In just a few weeks Mars will be behind the Sun from our perspective, so we won't be able to see it at all. See image below showing the current positions of the planets in the Solar System. 

Notice Venus and Mars are grouped together on one side of the Sun, as Venus laps Mars. Image Credit: Solar System Scope

Venus and Mars set about an hour after sunset. Just look west, soon after sunset, and they should be easy to spot. Venus is the 3rd brightest object in the sky, besides the Sun and the Moon, so it is hard to miss. Look to the opposite side of the sky, and you can see Jupiter in the east, also super bright. Jupiter will be visible all night. 

Good luck spotting this pretty pair of planets this week! Remember, if you want to learn more about constellations, planets, or astronomy, visit the Dome Planetarium at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Or, join or adult astronomy class! 

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