Conjunction of Venus and Spica
Observation Details
- Direction
Look toward the west-southwest horizon.
o - Time
Start looking 45 minutes after sunset during evening twilight.
o - Altitude
The pair (Venus and Spica) will sit very low, roughly 10 degrees above the horizon, meaning you will need a completely unobstructed view clear of buildings or trees.
o - Visual Appearance
Venus will dominate the sky, blazing white at a spectacular magnitude of -4.5. In contrast, Spica will appear much subtler as a vivid blue-white point at magnitude 1.0, about 50 times fainter than Venus.
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Equipment and Viewing Tips
- Naked Eye
Venus is easily visible even in bright twilight, while Spica will become clearer as the sky darkens.
o - Binoculars
Highly recommended. Because they are less than 2 degrees apart, both objects will fit beautifully within a single binocular field of view, highlighting their intense colour contrast.
o - Telescopes
A small telescope will reveal that Venus is on its inside track around the Sun, appearing as a waning crescent shape that is only about 38% to 45% illuminated.
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