This week the two brightest planets will appear together in the western evening sky. The view looking west-northwest at 21:45 BST shows Venus and Jupiter as brilliant points against the fading light, with no stars yet visible. They will be roughly 1.5 degrees apart, equal to about three full moons side by side. Both will sit low near the horizon, requiring an unobstructed view; a raised location can improve visibility. Venus, shining at magnitude –4.0, is the easier target and serves as the prominent evening star. Jupiter, at magnitude –1.9, is slightly dimmer yet still prominent. The planets currently lie within Gemini, though the constellation’s stars will emerge only as darkness increases and the pair sinks lower. Castor and Pollux will be the first stars to appear. Observers with a clear western horizon may also glimpse Mercury midway between the twins, though the sky must darken quickly before the planet sets.
