Don’t Miss This Weekend: Venus Transit Between Earth and the Sun—But Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Look!

Venus will move between the Earth and the sun this Saturday, creating a rare event called an inferior conjunction. This occurs when two celestial bodies align closely in the sky. However, you won’t easily spot this alignment with the naked eye due to the sun’s bright glare.

Michelle Nichols from Chicago’s Adler Planetarium noted, "The glare from the sun makes it really, really difficult to see." It’s not just the sun blocking our view; we’ll need special equipment and a trained eye to catch a glimpse of Venus as it slips between us and the sun.

Inferior conjunctions happen every 19 months because of Venus’s orbit around the sun. The peak of this event will occur around 9 p.m. EDT. Astronomer Geary Albright from James Madison University refers to this moment as a "Venus kiss," highlighting just how close the two bodies are.

It’s interesting to note that Venus, like the moon, goes through phases. Before and after the conjunction, you can see Venus as a thin crescent, but again, only through a telescope. Turn your gaze to the sky in the days leading up to the event; Venus will shine brightly just after sunset, close to the horizon.

Once the conjunction passes, you can look for Venus in the morning sky before dawn. Just don’t look directly at the sun!

Although this conjunction may not offer stunning views, scientists believe it’s a great chance to learn more about the behavior of planets in space. Nichols encouraged people to take this opportunity to “get to know Venus.”

Interestingly, Paul McCartney’s song “The Kiss of Venus” was inspired by this type of celestial occurrence, emphasizing the connection between art and science. Furthermore, NASA is preparing two missions to Venus that aim to explore its formation and why it is so different from Earth. This focus on Venus could lead to exciting discoveries in the future.

As we observe these celestial events, we gain a better appreciation for our place in the cosmos. Keep looking up—you never know what you might see!

For more details, check NASA’s resources and their ongoing missions to study Venus here.

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Space exploration, Planets, Science, Article, 119984155