Jupiter and Venus Side by Side

For star gazers, there is nothing better than being away from the city lights and being able to gaze up into the firmament with its millions of glittering stars.

Some have even formed The International Dark–Sky Association which works to protect the night skies for present and future generations. They also fight against light pollution, or the widespread use of artificial light.

In Wyoming, there is nothing like looking up into the winter sky. The stars seem much closer and brighter than they do on a summer night. One can get lost staring up into the vastness of the universe.

On the night of March 1, 2023, and for the next few days, those who are far enough away from city lights can see a rare astronomical occurrence. Two of our brightest planets, Jupiter and Venus, are in ‘conjunction’ that is they are very close together. They almost look like two headlights on a space craft, one much larger and brighter than the other.

Although Jupiter is a larger planet, Venus shines brighter in the night sky, being closer to the earth. Both are not far above the western horizon, and the photo was captured about 7:30 p.m. MST. Jupiter is on the left, and Venus is on the right.

These conjunctions have been noted before, maybe more often, due to the fact that most people in the early part of the 20th century lived in less-brightly lit places.

This from the The Cheyenne Daily Sun, January 27, 1892

The conjunction of the two planets Jupiter and Venus will occur on the 6th of next month. These two bodies are rapidly approaching each other. and will doubtless, at the time of their conjunction, present a most unusual. and brilliant picture. They are the brightest planets in the heavens.

And in the Star Valley Independent, Kemmerer May 29, 1908

Jupiter and Venus are snuggling up closer and closer together every evening, and there is no way to find out if Juno is getting jealous.

Sometimes they created fear that the event would cause a great catastrophe as this article from the Star Valley Independent, November 28, 1919

Tremendous World Catastrophe to Take Place December 17? Screamed the headline. On Docember 17 an unusual grouping of planets occurs in the heavens. On this much all astronomers agree—that there will be an unusual and over-balanced collection of powerful planetary bodies grouped on one side of the sun.

Professor Albert F. Porta asserts with great conviction that this unusual planetary situation will pull forth from the sun the mightiest sun-spot or explosion of gases ever known to man, and that our unfortunate planet, the earth as an innocent bvstander, will receive the full force of this solar cataclysm.

Staggering under this blow, Professor Porta predicts disturbance on the earth without precedent or parallel with hurricanes, lightning, colossal rains, gigantic lava eruptions, great earthquakes, floods, and fearful cold. Professor Porta’s predictions have attracted good deal of attention and have brought many anxious inquires to the Government astronomers in Washington and to the scientists in various State and College Observatories. While all astronomers agree with Professor Porta as to tho unusual planetary situation ln the heavens next month, they do not admit that the consequences he predicts.

On December 17, 1919, no less than seven, planets will pull jointly on the sun. These will include all the mightiest planets, and even those with a less powerful pull. Six of them—Mercury, Mars, Venus Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune—will be in conjunction; grouped together in the greatest “league of planets” ever known in the annuals of astronomy.

Although the sun did not explode and destroy the earth in 1919, it is interesting to think that some people felt that the planetary alignment might spell doom and destruction. Maybe that is what brought on our winter storms and cold weather this year.

The last time that Venus and Jupiter were in conjunction was on April 30, 2022. According to internet sources, the next time Venus and Jupiter will be as close as they are now will be on Feb. 7, 2032.