Jupiter meets Venus for earth-viewers later this week

There’s a good chance sky watchers will be able to view an early morning astronomical event over Kamloops and the Okanagan later this week.

There haven’t been too many opportunities for clear nighttime sky viewing this winter, but skies are expected to be clear for a conjunction between Jupiter and Venus taking place on Feb. 11.

A conjunction in astronomy occurs when two astronomical objects appear as though they are close together in the sky.

The Great Conjunction of 2020 occurred just last December, but viewing was very difficult in Kamloops and the Okanagan due to cloudy skies.

Environment Canada is calling for clear skies along with some frigid air Thursday morning, as Venus and Jupiter come into conjunction on the eastern horizon.

The best viewing time is around 20 minutes before sunrise, or around 6:50 a.m., according to earthsky.org

The planets will be hidden in dawn’s early glow, but they should be visible with the cold, clear skies predicted.

Point your binoculars toward the eastern horizon and wait for Jupiter and Venus to rise high enough in the sky. Don’t wait too long, as the rising sun could hide the planets from view.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.