Look up to the sky in the early evenings over the next few days and see one of the most beautiful planetary encounters for 2026.

In the South African north-western sky a brilliant planet, Venus, will steadily close the gap to Jupiter.

This occurrence that started on Friday 5 June, will last until Wednesday 10 June.

Mart-Mari Duvenhage of the Friends of Boyden Observatory and the Naval Hill Planetarium explains that the two planets will appear noticeably closer together each evening, reaching their closest approach on Tuesday 9 June.

“At that point, they will be separated by only about o.9° – roughly the width of your pinky finger held at arm’s length.”

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To spot this encounter, look at the sky in the north-west about 45 minutes after sunset. No telescope is needed to see the two planets – you can see it with the naked eye. Binoculars will ensure an even more spectacular view.

Mart-Mari supplies this handy guide for estimating angular distances: Three fingers at arm’s length is approximately 3°, and a pinky finger at arm’s length is about 1°.

The position in the next few days at 18:15 is approximately:

• 9 June – 0.9° (closest approach); and
• 10 June – 1.2°.

These are estimations for viewing the night sky above Bloemfontein, but the encounter will be visible everywhere in South Africa where there are clear skies.