March 29, 2026: Venus and Jupiter are visible after sunset, moving toward a June 9 conjunction. Follow Venus near Hamal and Jupiter near Castor and Pollux.
A Venus–Jupiter conjunction occurs on June 9. Look for these two planets after sunset to watch the gap close. Jupiter appears farther westward each week, while Venus moves eastward in front of the background stars.
Venus in West
At 45 minutes after sunset, brilliant Venus is nearly 10° above the western horizon. It outshines all other starlike bodies and is visible through the colorful hues of evening twilight.
Venus crosses the Pisces–Aries border tonight, appearing in front of Aries until April 19. It is nearly 15° to the lower left of Hamal, the constellation’s brightest star. Use a binocular to find the star. The Evening Star passes Hamal in a wide conjunction on April 5.
Jupiter With Gemini Twins
At this hour, bright Jupiter is high in the south-southwest, over 75° to Venus’ upper left. The Jovian Giant slowly moves eastward in front of Gemini, near Castor and Pollux — the Twins. It passes Castor in a wide conjunction on May 11, followed by a Pollux conjunction on May 28.
Jupiter moves eastward at a nightly rate of 0.11°, while Venus moves nearly 12 times faster. Note their relative positions each clear evening.
Moon near Regulus
Approaching the Full Moon phase, the lunar orb is in the southeast, 3.5° to Regulus’ lower left, the brightest star in Leo. Earlier tonight, the moon occulted (eclipsed) the star for sky watchers across Europe, northern Africa, and northeastern Canada.
The Lion faces westward. We see it in silhouette angling upward in the east-southeast. The Sickle of Leo, a backward question mark shape, outlines the head. A triangle to the lower left marks the haunches and tail, with Denebola as the easternmost star. In this moonlight, use a binocular to trace the Lion’s outline.
Look for Venus and Jupiter after sunset. During the next several weeks, watch Venus overtake Jupiter. The bright moon is in front of Leo in the southeastern sky.
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, March 29: Venus and Jupiter After Sunset – Conjunction Preview
March 29, 2026: Venus and Jupiter are visible after sunset, moving toward a June 9 conjunction. Follow Venus near Hamal and Jupiter near Castor and Pollux. - 2026, March 28-30: Evening Moon Passes Leo
March 28-30, 2026: The gibbous moon moves in front of Leo, passing near Regulus and Denebola in the east-southeast sky after sunset. - 2026, March 27: Gibbous Moon Near Jupiter Tonight – Beehive Cluster Washed Out
March 27, 2026: A 74% illuminated gibbous moon shines near Jupiter after sunset in Cancer. Learn where to look and why the Beehive Cluster is difficult to see tonight. - 2026, March 26: Venus Shines After Sunset – Evening Star Emerges in Western Sky
March 26, 2026: Venus dominates the western sky after sunset, climbing higher each evening. Look about 45 minutes after sunset to spot the brilliant Evening Star above the horizon. - 2026, March 25-27: First Quarter Moon Near Jupiter and Gemini Twins
March 25-27, 2026: The First Quarter moon shines high in the south-southwestern sky with Jupiter, Castor, and Pollux. Watch it move night to night as it passes Jupiter and approaches the Full Pink Moon phase.