Cosmic Event: Venus & Pleiades Converge

VENUS & THE PLEIADES

Cosmic Dance Wednesday April 11, 2007

Venus and the Pleiades are converging for a
close encounter on Wednesday, April 11th.

At closest approach, the planet and the star cluster will be about 2 degrees apart, tight enough to fit behind your upturned thumb held at arm’s length. They’re an odd couple. Venus is extravagantly bright while the Pleiades are faint and delicate, yet together they make a pretty ensemble suitable for photography, binoculars or simple naked-eye viewing.

Watch the western sky after sunset in the nights ahead to see them drawing together.