A view of a conjunction between Venus and Jupiter in 2012.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Wikimedia Commons
February 09, 2021 - 6:30 AM
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.
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