March 15, 2023
Some stars end in silence, some in fire, and some leave behind the raw materials for birthdays.
Jupiter and Venus Converge over Germany
Birthday · March 15, 2023
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
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APOD published March 15, 2023. Credit: Michael Luy (Trier Observatory). A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
This was a sky to show the kids. Early this month the two brightest planets in the night sky, Jupiter and Venus, appeared to converge. At their closest, the two planets were separated by only about the angular width of the full moon. The spectacle occurred just after sunset and was seen and photographed all across planet Earth. The displayed image was taken near to the time of closest approach from Wiltingen, Germany, and features the astrophotographer, spouse, and their two children. Of course, Venus remains much closer to both the Sun and the Earth than Jupiter -- the apparent closeness between the planets in the sky of Earth was only angular. Jupiter and Venus have passed and now appear increasingly far apart. Similar planetary convergence opportunities will eventually arise. In a few months, for example, Mars and Venus will appear to congregate just as the Sun sets. Jupiter & Venus Conjunction Gallery: Notable Submissions to APOD
Image credit: Michael Luy (Trier Observatory)