In this article
Why this pair stands out
Venus is the brightest planet, shining white and sharp near the horizon. Jupiter is second, a steadier, creamy light that can ride high in the sky. Neither needs any equipment. When they come together they form a pair of lights so bright that passers-by who never look up tend to notice them.
Their brightness is the reason this conjunction gets so much attention. A pair of planets that outshine every star is hard to miss, even from a city with plenty of street lighting.
How often they meet
Venus moves quickly against the stars and Jupiter very slowly, so Venus keeps catching up. Their conjunctions come about once a year, and some years bring two. Some of them happen too close to the Sun to see, which is why the table marks each row as evening sky, morning sky or too close to the Sun.
The gap on the day also varies. It can be several degrees or only a fraction of one. One degree is about two full Moon widths, so a gap under a degree looks like a single brilliant double star.
How to see it
Use the table above to find a row marked evening sky or morning sky. For an evening conjunction, look west soon after sunset. For a morning one, look east before dawn. Find a clear horizon, because Venus is never far from the Sun and stays low.
Then look at the pair with binoculars. Jupiter will show up to four tiny points in a line beside it, its large moons, while Venus is a dazzling white disc. Do not point optical gear anywhere near the Sun, and wait until it has fully set or the sky is dark before you start.
What it is not
A conjunction is a line-of-sight effect. Venus and Jupiter stay hundreds of millions of kilometres apart, and the two planets are not interacting. Nothing about the alignment changes anything on Earth, so it is purely a picture to enjoy.
Tradition and astrology
In astrological tradition both Venus and Jupiter are benefic planets, one linked with harmony and affection, the other with abundance and optimism. Their meeting was read as a favourable sign. This is tradition and symbolism, and astrology has no demonstrated scientific basis. Compare it with the Venus retrograde and Jupiter retrograde pages, or read the retrograde planets hub.
Questions people ask
How often do Venus and Jupiter meet?
About once a year, and sometimes twice. The table above shows each one, with the gap in degrees.
Which is brighter?
Venus, by a clear margin. Jupiter is second, so the pair outshines everything else in the night sky except the Moon.
Can I see Jupiter's moons?
Yes. Binoculars held steady show up to four small points in a line beside Jupiter.