Venus, Jupiter Share a Stage June 30; UA Holds Viewing

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Only the moon outshines Venus and Jupiter in our night skies, and these two planets will appear paired later this month, says a University of Alabama astronomer.

“This will be the closest conjunction of Jupiter and Venus we’ve been able to see since 1999,” said Dr. William Keel, UA professor of physics and astronomy.

Visitors are invited atop Gallalee Hall from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, to use UA’s 16-inch, research grade telescope to view the pair.

Though the planets will appear to be in close proximity as seen from Earth, they are actually 516 million miles apart, Keel says.

The event is free, and it is dependent upon the weather. Cloudy skies are not conducive to star gazing. If you plan to bring a large group, call 205/348-5050 in advance.

These planets will also be visible to the naked eye, Keel said, appearing as bright stars. To view them without a telescope, look low in the west for about 90 minutes after sunset.

“These will be the two brightest things in the sky at that point,” Keel said.

Gallalee is near the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Drive, less than a block from Denny Chimes.

The department of physics and astronomy is part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes and Goldwater scholarships.