Astronomers are eagerly anticipating a rare solar alignment this weekend, but casual observers will not be able to spot it. Venus will pass between Earth and the sun on Saturday during an inferior conjunction, making it extremely difficult to see without specialized equipment and expert eyes.
The alignment occurs about every 19 months due to the planets’ orbits around the sun. It happens when Venus swings between the sun and Earth, causing a brief, but intense, celestial spectacle. The moment of inferior conjunction is set to occur at around 9 p.m. EDT.
In the days leading up to the event, stargazers can observe Venus as it appears near the horizon just after sunset in the evening sky. After the alignment, Venus will be visible in the morning sky before sunrise. However, observers should exercise caution when looking at the sun and take necessary precautions to avoid eye damage.
This weekend’s event is primarily of interest to scientists, who will use the occasion to track the planets’ movements and gain insights into Venus’ formation and composition. The rare alignment has also inspired several musical compositions and upcoming scientific missions, including NASA’s investigation into how Venus formed and diverged from Earth.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/venus-inferior-conjunction-0b31d37604fec1721f8f60505f50b986