Stargazing: Stargazing: Viewing the Jupiter and Venus Conjunction
August 12, 2025
Julie Silverman, Kamin Science Center
Venus (labeled in yellow), Jupiter (labeled in orange), and Mercury (labeled in dark yellow) appear in Orion at sunset in the Pittsburgh sky.
Credit: Kayla Waugaman Kamin Science Center
Stargazing: Stargazing: Viewing the Jupiter and Venus Conjunction
June 9, 2026
Peyton Thiem at Kamin Science Center
This June, look up into the night sky for a stunning view of two bright, superlative planets. The largest planet in our solar system will be joined by the hottest planet—Jupiter and Venus will be shining beside one another from our perspective here on Earth.
Their close approach in the evening sky is known as a “conjunction” or an “appulse.” This particular conjunction will be best observed this Thurs., June 9. From Pittsburgh, the pair will be seen by 9:08 p.m. just above the western horizon. Look for them near the constellation of Gemini. They are framed next to the two famous twin stars in the Gemini constellation, Pollux and Castor.
Venus and Jupiter are two interesting solar system objects. Jupiter, for example, is so large that all the other planets could fit inside of it with room to spare. And though Venus isn’t the closest planet to the Sun, it is certainly one that feels the power of the Sun’s heat. Due to Venus’ dense atmospheric conditions, temperatures on the surface often reach 900 degrees Fahrenheit both day and night.
While observing the event, you may notice another bright object shining nearby, dimmer than the others. This is Mercury, the smallest solar system planet. Since Mercury lacks an atmosphere, its surface is not as hot as Venus’, though it is closer to the Sun.
These objects will set below the horizon and out of an observer’s view by 11:23 p.m. in Pittsburgh.