06/07/2026
The two brightest planets in the night sky are appearing to inch toward each other ahead of a close conjunction on Tuesday, June 9.
On that date, Venus and Jupiter will appear in the post-sunset sky less than the width of a thumb held at arm’s length, according to Sky & Telescope. The rare celestial event will play out low along the west-northwest horizon starting roughly 45 minutes after sunset.
During the peak of the conjunction on June 9, the two worlds will be separated by just 1.6 degrees—a gap narrow enough that they can both be viewed simultaneously through standard binoculars.
While they will look close enough to almost touch from our vantage point, the event is actually an optical illusion.
Venus will sit roughly 110 million miles from Earth, whereas the gas giant Jupiter will be orbiting much further out at about 560 million miles away.
Stargazers who look up throughout the week will get a bonus view. The convergence takes place within the constellation Gemini, right near the prominent twin stars Castor and Pollux.
Furthermore, as June progresses, Mercury will climb up to join the pair beneath the twilight glow, forming a mini "planet parade" that will later be joined by a slender crescent Moon by mid-month.
