Planetary conjunction
A planetary conjunction is an astronomical event in which two planets appear close together in the sky.
Sometimes, in a rare case of a planetary conjunction, one planet passes in front of another, creating a planetary occultation.
The planets are actually millions of miles apart in space. However, they appear close together in the sky because they roughly follow the same path across the sky. This path is known as the ecliptic.
March 7–8 evenings: Conjunction of Venus and Saturn
In early March 2026, bright Venus and dimmer Saturn will appear to move toward each other in the western sky shortly after sunset, while Venus ascends and Saturn descends. They will appear closest on the evenings of March 7 and 8, forming a planetary conjunction. They will set about an hour and 15 minutes after sunset.
June 8–9 evenings: Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter
In early June 2026, Venus and Jupiter—the two brightest planets in our sky—will appear to move toward each other in the western sky after dark, while Venus ascends and Jupiter descends. They will appear closest on the evenings of June 8 and 9, forming a spectacular planetary conjunction. They will set about 2 hours and 30 minutes after sunset.
November 15–16 mornings: Conjunction of Mars and Jupiter
In early November 2026, bright Jupiter will appear to move toward dimmer, reddish Mars in the southern sky before dawn. They will appear closest on the mornings of November 15 and 16, forming a planetary conjunction. They will rise shortly before midnight and remain visible through dawn.
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