Venus and Jupiter conjunction: how can I see 'Star of Bethlehem' event?

Venus and Jupiter have moved into alignment with each other and are providing a display as bright as the biblical 'Star of Bethlehem', according to astronomy enthusiasts.

Together, the planets resemble a double star, Sky & Telescope editor Kelly Beatty says on the magazine's website, which notes that a similar alignment 2,000 years ago has been put forward as an explanation of the star that greeted the birth of Jesus.

The two planets will remain within two degrees of each other in the night sky until 4 July.

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The alignment of planets – also known as a conjunction – is not a particularly unusual occurrence, the magazine notes, but the combination of the excellent viewing angle that many places on Earth will have, and the proximity of the planets – just one-third of a degree apart at their closest – means that the conjunction will rank "very highly" among such events, Rice University astronomer Patrick Hartigan wrote on his website.

The next time the planets have such a close conjunction will be in 2023, Hartigan added.

So what impact will the conjunction have on Earth?

According to Astrology site Astrogle.com, it's good news for expecting mothers. "This combination is the most coveted one attracting good fortune when the two planets come together in any sign," it declares.

There is even more good news from the WantAstro astrology blog: "When Venus and Jupiter are in conjunction it makes a person religious, intelligent, learned, rich and well-liked."

Scientists are rather more circumspect about their views on the possible effects of the conjunction, suggesting that the celestial event will be little more than an appealing spectacle.

"These planetary groupings in the sky have no effect on Earth or human affairs – except for one," said Sky & Telescope's senior editor Alan MacRobert. "They can lift our attention away from our own little world into the enormous things beyond."