Venus and Jupiter to align for a rare comic kiss after 24 years on this date

Key points

• Skywatchers are in for a spectacular celestial treat this month as Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets visible from Earth, move into a rare and dazzling conjunction.
• The planetary pairing, being described as a cosmic kiss, will see Venus and Jupiter appear just 1.6 degrees apart in the evening sky shortly after sunset.
• Astronomers say this will be one of the most impressive sunset conjunctions in years, offering stargazers an easy-to-spot planetary display without the need for telescopes.
• WHAT IS A PLANETARY CONJUNCTION?
• A conjunction occurs when two planets appear close together in the sky from Earth's perspective.