Mercury, Venus and Jupiter

If you have been watching the sunset for the last few days you have hopefully enjoyed the tight conjunction of the three brightest planets, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter. Tonight this trio will continue to draw closer. Over the last few days Mercury and Venus have passed about 1°24′ away from each other. Now Jupiter is swinging down to join the pair, drawing within about 1° of Venus over the next few days. All three will remain within 3° of each other for three evenings, creating a triangle of very bright planets in the glow of sunset.

While Jupiter will leave the stage, exiting into the sunset after the end of the month, Mercury and Venus will continue the dance well into June.