Their closest approach in the American night sky is almost a near-collision, that is,  in astronomical terms.

The closest approach (about 0.7 degrees) between the two of them will occur on June 30th, when star- and planetgazers will be able to see both of them with the unaided eye (racy astronomers call it with “the naked eye”). An even better sighting is possible with binoculars and backyard telescopes. A small sized telescope will show the thin rings of Saturn and the nearly crescent shape of Venus.

On Sunday night, the two planets will still pass only 0.8 degrees apart.

The amount of their spacing apart at the time of closest approach can be visualized by holding your thumb out from your straight arm and toward the planets in the sky. You’ll find Venus on one side and Saturn on the other.

The time that Venus and Saturn pass each other should occur at approximately 8:45 p.m. EDT. The eastern part of the United States will see the best view because the sky is darker than the more western parts of the country.

After the Sun sets and the sky becomes darker, look in the western sky for Venus and Saturn near the horizon. Venus is the big bright object, while Saturn is the small yellowy orange dot next to it.

Saturn’s surface will appear much, much dimmer than the glittering surface of Venus because Saturn is about thirteen times further away from the Sun than Venus, so the Sun’s reflected sunshine is not nearly as great as it is when reflected off of Venus.

You can see a star chart of Saturn’s and Venus’ positions with respect to the constellation Leo by going to: http://www.earthsky.org/skywatching/.

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