Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky in rare conjunction phenomenon

02 March 2023 , 10:48

828     0

Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky in rare conjunction phenomenon

This is the stunning moment Jupiter and Venus appear to "kiss" in the sky as the planet's pass each other by.

The amazing footage, which happened last night, is known as a conjunction and saw Jupiter shifting west as Venus slowly moves in the other direction.

According to NASA, conjunctions happen often as the celestial bodies orbit around the sun in approximately the same plane as each other and trace similar paths across the sky.

Robert Massey, deputy executive director of the Royal Astronomical Society in the UK, said when the planets are at their closest they should be half a degree apart, which is the diameter of a full moon.

He said the best time to identify a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the US was yesterday but the two planets will look close together in the sky on Thursday night.

Green comet last seen by Neanderthals 50,000 years ago to fly past earth tonight

Venus and Jupiter appeared to "kiss" in the sky last night (Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)

Although conjunctions have no particular significance, for stargazers they make for spectacular viewing.

NASA said they provide "no profound astronomical significance" but "they are nice to view".

Gianluca Masi, an astronomer at the Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory in Italy and head of the Virtual Telescope Project, said after the moon, Venus and Jupiter are the brightest objects in the sky presently.

He even set up a live feed to watch "the kiss between Venus and Jupiter" so fans could watch the "kiss" wherever in the world.

A conjunction is when two astronomical objects appear close to each other in the sky (Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)

Thousands of people responded to NASA's social media post of the "kiss" with their own pictures and were left startled at the sky.

One user posted a picture, who saw the planets in Nigeria, wrote: "Here they are just hanging out right outside my front door!"

Another added: "The best shot I could catch on my way to work tonight!! So glad the sky was so clear."

Fans will be able to Venus in the sky tonight (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

And a third user wrote: "I began to see them on the way home around dusk and I wondered what two planets they are and now we know. It's an exquisite event!"

People from all around the world we're able to spot the magnificent sight, which typically happens after sunset.

Space fans were in awe after being able to spot Jupiter (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

It will be visible with the naked eye but binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view.

Snow moon visible in UK tonight - best time to look into night sky

In addition, as the planets will be low-lying, finding a spot on a tall building or hill will give a better viewing.

According to NASA, the next full moon will be on Tuesday, March 7 and during that evening, Venus, Jupiter and Mars will also be visible at night.

It can be often referred to as the worm moon, crust, sap, sugar or crow.

Liam Buckler