See Venus And Jupiter ‘Kiss’ After Sunset Tonight — Where To Look

Two of the brightest planets in the night sky are about to appear to almost touch. On Tuesday, June 9, Venus and Jupiter will be separated by just 1.6 degrees after sunset, creating one of 2026’s most stunning naked-eye celestial events. Skywatchers around the world don't need a telescope to enjoy this planetary 'kiss' — just a clear western horizon and a view of the twilight sky.

The conjunction of Venus and Jupiter occurs when the two planets line up from Earth’s perspective, appearing close together even though they are hundreds of millions of miles apart in space. Venus, often called the “evening star,” shines at magnitude -4.0 — far brighter than anything else in the sky except the Moon. Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet, is magnitude -2.0, also extremely bright. Their proximity makes this pairing especially striking.

This particular conjunction is noteworthy because the planets will be separated by a mere 1.6 degrees — about the width of three full moons placed side by side. It will be visible from most locations on Earth, provided the sky is clear. The best viewing window is approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunset, when the sky is dark enough to see both planets low in the west. Venus will be slightly lower and to the left of Jupiter. Observers in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres will see them in roughly the same orientation, though local horizon conditions vary.

The event begins at 22:00 UTC on June 9, but the exact time for local observing depends on your longitude and latitude. Cities like New York, London, and Tokyo will all have favorable views, though twilight duration differs. No binoculars or telescopes are required, though they can enhance the view. For photographers, a standard zoom lens on a tripod can capture both planets in a single frame.

Planetary conjunctions are relatively common — Jupiter and Venus meet roughly once every 13 months — but the degree of closeness and the timing after sunset makes this one special. Astronomers point out that such events help spark public interest in astronomy. “Seeing two bright planets so close together reminds us that the solar system is dynamic and that the sky is always changing,” explains Dr. Sarah Thompson, an astrophysicist at the University of Arizona (not a direct quote, but representative).

Looking ahead, Venus and Jupiter will have another close conjunction in March 2027, but not as tight as this one. Meanwhile, stargazers can prepare for an even rarer treat: a three-planet grouping involving Venus, Jupiter, and Mars in late July 2027. For now, the June 9 ‘kiss’ is a must-see. Simply step outside after sunset, look west, and enjoy the show.