MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Astronomy lovers — and anybody somewhat interested in the cosmos — will have the opportunity this weekend to catch a sight in the night sky that hasn’t happened for over 2,000 years.
On Saturday, Jupiter and Venus will “conjoin” low on the western horizon at less than 0.5 degrees apart for the third of three times. It also happened, to a lesser extent, in 2015 and 2012.
The last time the planets were as close as they’ll be Saturday, however, happened was 2 to 3 B.C. — it was most likely what was called “the star of Bethlehem.”
Just to be clear: The planets will only appear to conjoin from our view. They will still remain hundreds of millions of miles apart. Jupiter will not be swallowing Venus anytime soon.
