What is a 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.
June 25 evening: Conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter
In late June 2026, bright Jupiter will appear to move toward dimmer Mercury in the western sky after sunset. They will appear closest on the evening of June 25, forming a planetary conjunction. They will set about an hour and 30 minutes after sunset.
July 4 morning: Conjunction of Mars and Uranus
In late June to early July 2026, Uranus will appear to move toward reddish Mars in the eastern sky before sunrise. They will appear closest on the morning of July 4, forming a close planetary conjunction. They will rise about 2 hours and 30 minutes before sunrise.
August 15 morning: Conjunction of Mercury and Jupiter
In early August 2026, Mercury and Jupiter will appear to move toward each other in the eastern sky before sunrise, as Mercury sinks lower and Jupiter climbs higher. They will appear closest on the morning of August 15, forming a planetary conjunction. They will rise about an hour before sunrise.
November 16 morning: Conjunction of Mars and Jupiter
In early November 2026, bright Jupiter will appear to move toward reddish Mars in the southern sky before sunrise. They will appear closest on the morning of November 16, forming a planetary conjunction. They will rise shortly before midnight and remain visible for the rest of the night.
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