Venus is set to make its closest approach to our planet this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the sixth-largest planet in our solar system will appear as an inferior conjunction, making it visible to stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere. The event occurs when Venus passes between the Earth and sun at a slight angle, allowing it to be seen above the sun’s horizon.
The rare alignment happens every 19.5 months, but it’s only visible after sunset and before sunrise about every eight years. This weekend’s appearance is particularly noteworthy, as scientists call it an inferior conjunction – the opposite of a superior conjunction, when Venus is on the other side of the sun.
To view the phenomenon, stargazers need to find locations with unobstructed views of the horizon and clear skies. The planet will be the third-brightest object in our sky after the sun and moon, making it easily visible without any special equipment.
Venus and Earth are often referred to as “twins” due to their similar sizes, and they’re thought to have formed within the same inner region of the solar system. This double appearance of Venus in our sky is a rare treat, last seen in 2017 – and it won’t happen again until 2033.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/03/21/see-venus-sun-conjuction/82595008007