On Saturday, Venus will pass between the Earth and the sun in what is known as an inferior conjunction. However, observing this event without special equipment and expert guidance is highly challenging due to the intense glare from the sun, as explained by Michelle Nichols from the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.
A conjunction occurs when two celestial bodies appear close together in the sky, whether it be two planets or a planet and the sun. An inferior conjunction of Venus occurs when the planet moves between the sun and Earth. This alignment happens approximately every 19 months due to the orbits of Venus and Earth around the sun, with the moment of inferior conjunction expected around 9 p.m. EDT.
Astronomer Geary Albright from James Madison University humorously refers to this close alignment as a “Venus kiss.” Venus exhibits phases similar to the moon, appearing as a thin crescent before and after the conjunction, visible only through telescopes. Observers can track Venus’s transition from the evening to morning sky on Sunday.
Leading up to the conjunction, individuals are encouraged to find a flat area and look near the horizon just after sunset to catch a glimpse of Venus before it sets. Following the conjunction, Venus will be observable in the morning sky just before sunrise, reminding viewers not to stare directly at the sun.
While this weekend’s event may not offer a striking visual display, scientists emphasize its value in monitoring planetary movements in space. Michelle Nichols suggests taking this opportunity to learn more about Venus. Paul McCartney’s song “The Kiss of Venus” drew inspiration from a book chapter detailing the inferior conjunction, and NASA’s upcoming missions will focus on exploring Venus’s origins and its differences from Earth.
This article is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Associated Press is responsible for all content.
