Venus and Jupiter conjunction: how can I see 'Star of Bethlehem' event?
Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter will 'lift our attention away from our own little world into the enormous things beyond'
Venus and Jupiter have moved into alignment with each other and are providing a display as bright as the biblical 'Star of Bethlehem', according to astronomy enthusiasts.
Together, the planets resemble a double star, Sky & Telescope editor Kelly Beatty says on the magazine's website, which notes that a similar alignment 2,000 years ago has been put forward as an explanation of the star that greeted the birth of Jesus.
The two planets will remain within two degrees of each other in the night sky until 4 July.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The alignment of planets – also known as a conjunction – is not a particularly unusual occurrence, the magazine notes, but the combination of the excellent viewing angle that many places on Earth will have, and the proximity of the planets – just one-third of a degree apart at their closest – means that the conjunction will rank "very highly" among such events, Rice University astronomer Patrick Hartigan wrote on his website.
The next time the planets have such a close conjunction will be in 2023, Hartigan added.
So what impact will the conjunction have on Earth?
According to Astrology site Astrogle.com, it's good news for expecting mothers. "This combination is the most coveted one attracting good fortune when the two planets come together in any sign," it declares.
There is even more good news from the WantAstro astrology blog: "When Venus and Jupiter are in conjunction it makes a person religious, intelligent, learned, rich and well-liked."
Scientists are rather more circumspect about their views on the possible effects of the conjunction, suggesting that the celestial event will be little more than an appealing spectacle.
"These planetary groupings in the sky have no effect on Earth or human affairs – except for one," said Sky & Telescope's senior editor Alan MacRobert. "They can lift our attention away from our own little world into the enormous things beyond."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Nasa finds molecules on Mars
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published