Science & Nature

Venus and Saturn Cozy Up to Each Other for Planetary Conjunction This Weekend

Outer space is often depicted as a vast and lonely place. But Venus and Saturn are making it look downright cozy these days.

For weeks, the two planets having been hanging out near each other in the western sky after dark, moving closer and closer together. 

On the evenings of Jan. 17 and 18, they’ll appear to be virtually side by side, in what’s called a “planetary conjunction.” The “great conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn back in December 2020 dazzled skywatchers, with the giants the closest they’d been in 400 years.

Keep in mind, when it comes to objects in space, “close” is relative. While Venus and Saturn might look like they’re separated by just a finger’s width, the two planets are actually hundreds of millions of miles apart, according to the folks at NASA.

 

 

To view the conjunction, look to the west/southwest after sunset and locate Venus. It should be easy to spot — it’s the brightest thing in the night sky, apart from the moon. Saturn, also bright enough to see with the naked eye, will be immediately next door.

Don’t worry if the skies are cloudy on Friday — the show will repeat Saturday. In fact, the two planets will continue to pal around through the end of January, though they will be moving farther away from each other.

Binoculars shouldn’t be needed but are always helpful when it comes to getting a clearer view. This was definitely the case with the Mars occultation that happened on Jan. 13.

For those who missed it, Joe Guzman, the Chicago Astronomer, captured the occultation in all its glory.

The video and details of last evening's semi-rare Lunar-Mars Occultation event from under Chicago skies.https://t.co/S7s7s1ckvX
Excelsior...
Astro Joe pic.twitter.com/PphwLtILbi

— Joe Guzman (@AstronomerJoe) January 15, 2025

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]

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