An Astronomical Event You Can’t Ignore!

This week, the stunning sight of Jupiter and Mercury will grace the evening sky! Mark your calendars for June 7, when these two planets will come together just above the northwestern horizon.

Prime Viewing Conditions!

If you're in the U.S., you'll want to find a clear spot at sunset on June 6. Look towards the western horizon where Jupiter will shine brilliantly to the upper left of the speedy Mercury, both positioned less than 10 degrees above the horizon – about an arm's length width!

These celestial wonders will only be visible for about 45 minutes after sunset, so time is of the essence!

A Cosmic Dance!

As the days progress, you'll witness Mercury glide closer to Jupiter before ascending higher into the night sky. On June 7, the planets will be just over two degrees apart—close enough to capture in a pair of 10x50 binoculars. Just remember, wait until the sun fully dips below the horizon before aiming your binoculars skyward!

The Wonders of the Solar System!

While they may appear similar as mere points of light, Jupiter and Mercury are worlds apart in terms of size and composition. Jupiter, the colossal gas giant, is the solar system’s largest planet and could swallow Mercury whole several times over!

Orbital Differences!

Their orbits tell a striking story. Jupiter takes a whopping 12 Earth years to complete a single orbit around the sun, traveling a staggering 484 million miles (778 million kilometers). Oddly enough, it spins extremely fast, with a day lasting just 9.9 hours!

In stark contrast, Mercury orbits the sun every 88 Earth days, significantly shorter than the 176 Earth days it takes to complete one full rotation. Positioning itself just 29 million miles (47 million kilometers) from the sun, Mercury is an enigma of extremes.

Gear Up for Stargazing!

If you’re itching to delve deeper into the wonders of our solar system, check out our guides to the best binoculars and telescopes. Newbies should also explore our list of must-have smartphone stargazing apps to enhance your cosmic adventures in 2025!