Brightest planets Jupiter and Venus to convene in south-west sky

As promised last week, the two brightest planets in the night sky, Jupiter and Venus, have been closing in on each another. This week, the two jewel-like planets will meet in a close conjunction on 2 March.

The chart shows the view looking west-south-west from London at 6pm GMT on 2 March. Venus will be the brighter of the two, becoming visible first as the sunlight drains from the sky. Jupiter’s light will cut through the twilight next, gradually rising in brightness as the night gathers and the pair dip inexorably towards the horizon.

While you are watching the planets, keep an eye open for the way the other stars come out across the sky – it really does feel like the heavens are blossoming around you.

The conjunction is visible around the world. In Cape Town, South Africa, and Sydney, Australia, the pair will be clearly visible at about 8pm local time. As March proceeds, the two planets will separate. Jupiter will sink closer and closer to the Sun, becoming impossible to see for a while until it re-emerges in the morning sky in the summer months. Venus will continue to climb away from the Sun becoming a glorious evening star in the western sky.