Don’t Miss Tonight’s Jaw-Dropping Jupiter-Mercury Conjunction: See Two Planets Align in the Twilight Glow
Mercury and Jupiter rendezvous in a dramatic June sky event. Here’s exactly when and where to look for this fleeting planetary pairing.
- Date/Time: June 3, just after sunset (peak at 4 P.M. EDT)
- Separation: Only 2° apart in the western sky
- Visibility Window: Less than 30 minutes after sunset
- Brightness: Jupiter at –1.9 mag, Mercury at –1.3 mag
Prepare your binoculars and find a clear view to the west – a cosmic meetup between Jupiter and Mercury is lighting up the early June twilight, a spectacle not seen for years. Tonight, these two brilliant worlds glide close together, dazzling stargazers brief enough to catch them before they melt into the horizon.
Jupiter, the solar system’s giant and king of moons, meets swift, elusive Mercury in a rare evening conjunction. The duo will appear just 2° apart — close enough to fit together in most binocular or wide-field telescope views. Both planets will gleam like gems in the fading light, hanging low above the skyline for only about half an hour after sunset.
Skies will feature not just planets, but also a nearly-full, waxing gibbous Moon adding extra flare to the western dusk. The best observing time is right after sunset, so timing is everything.
Q&A: Why Is This Conjunction So Special?
Mercury and Jupiter seldom meet in the evening sky. Tonight’s event marks their closest apparent approach of 2025, and both are shining exceptionally bright. Even casual skywatchers should find them easy to spot — Mercury glowing at magnitude –1.3 (nearly as luminous as Sirius!), and Jupiter outshining its companion at –1.9.
How Can I See Jupiter and Mercury?
- Find an unobstructed western horizon. Urban skylines or forested areas block your view.
- Step outside just after sunset. This year, sunset happens around 8:27 P.M. (40° N, 90° W longitude).
- Wait until the Sun is fully set before using binoculars or telescopes for safety.
- Look low—both planets will hover just a few degrees above the horizon. Mercury will sit to Jupiter’s upper right.
For added thrill, check the nearby Moon—rising in the east at 6:26 P.M., waxing toward full.
What Will I See in My Binoculars or Telescope?
- Mercury appears as a tiny, almost fully lit disk—5 arcseconds across, 89% illuminated.
- Jupiter shows off a much larger, dazzling circle—32 arcseconds wide, a mark of its titanic scale.
- The Great Red Spot on Jupiter may be visible if your optics are steady and atmospheric conditions are calm.
- Jupiter’s four major Galilean moons will be challenging to spot in twilight, but patient observers might glimpse them.
How Far Are They from Earth Right Now?
Mercury is about 116 million miles (187 million km) away, while Jupiter is nearly 570 million miles (917 million km) distant—an astronomical alignment across the vastness of space.
Looking for more stargazing events? Visit Nasa.gov and timeanddate.com for sky calendars and future celestial highlights.
Checklist: Catching the Conjunction at Its Best
- Check the weather for a clear sunset.
- Scout your western horizon early.
- Wait until the Sun is fully set before raising optics.
- Have binoculars or a low-power telescope handy.
- Share your view—this sight won’t return for years!
Tonight is your chance to witness a planetary pas de deux at sunset. Don’t wait—grab your binoculars and step into cosmic history!