Chennai will witness a rare celestial sight on June 9, when Venus and Jupiter—two of the brightest planets in the night sky—appear unusually close to each other.
Astronomers explain that as planets move along their elliptical paths around the Sun, they sometimes line up in a way that makes them look near one another from Earth. During this event, Venus and Jupiter are expected to be separated by only about 0.5 to 1.6 degrees, creating the impression of a “double planet” or as if they are almost touching.
The best viewing window is around 45 minutes to one hour after sunset. Skywatchers are advised to look toward the west-northwest, where the pair should stand out clearly.
Because both planets are highly luminous, no telescope is required to enjoy the view, though Jupiter may appear slightly dimmer due to its greater distance from Earth.
The last time a similar close appearance was seen was on August 25, 2025. After June 9, the next such event is expected on August 25, 2027, according to observers.
