Spectacular Show Awaits Sky Gazers

Venus and Jupiter to converge, and the moon drops in, too

By Robin Frost, Newser User

Posted Jan 26, 2008 2:58 PM CST

(Newser) – Sky gazers have an exceptional show awaiting them over the next couple of weeks, Space.com reports, and the most striking celestial sights will be in the early morning. Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, will converge, forming a spectacular "double planet" low in the dawn light, and a few mornings later, the moon will drop by to join them.

From now through the end of January, the gap between Venus and Jupiter will close, until on Feb. 1 they appear closest together in the dawn sky. The show reaches its peak on Feb. 4, just before sunrise, when the two planets and the waning crescent moon—the three brightest objects of the night sky—form a striking isosceles triangle.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Venus, seen here, will converge with Jupiter and then be joined by a crescent moon in the predawn sky. (AP Photo/ESA/NASA/HO) (Associated Press)

Jupiter, seen here, will appear closest to Venus on Feb. 1. (AP Photo/NASA) (Associated Press)

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Dance of Jupiter and Venus (AntaresInScorpius (YouTube))

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Spectacular Show Awaits Sky Gazers