From the April 2015 issue

Venus meets Jupiter at dusk

Although Venus reaches its peak in the evening sky in early June, the highlight of the planet’s month comes when it slides 0.3° from Jupiter on June 30.
By and | Published: April 27, 2015 | Last updated on May 18, 2023
Brilliant Venus passed a few degrees to Jupiter's upper right in evening twilight March 14, 2012.

lthough June nights are the shortest of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, in 2015 they pack a powerful punch. Venus and Jupiter will top most observers’ lists by dominating the evening sky all month. Keep a watch on the two brightest planets as the weeks pass, and you’ll notice them pulling closer. The drama builds to a stunning climax when they pass within 0.3° of each other as the calendar turns from June to July.

But the thrills don’t stop there. June also features Saturn just a few weeks past its peak, Uranus and Neptune coming into sharper focus after midnight, and Mercury making a brief appearance before dawn.

Astronomy magazine subscribers can read the full article for free. Just make sure you’re registered with the website.