The geometry behind Mars–Jupiter Conjunction
A planetary conjunction describes an apparent alignment from Earth. The planets remain separated by enormous distances in space; closeness in the sky is an angle along our line of sight.
Planetary Events · November 16, 2026
Mars–Jupiter Conjunction.
Mars and Jupiter pass about 1.2° apart.
When it happens
Catalog peak
Global reference time: November 16, 2026 at 02:04 UTC. Your local calendar date may differ.
The peak is not necessarily the best time to look from your location. Horizon, darkness, Moon position and weather determine the useful observing window.
What to expect
Visibility & observing notes
The event’s time is global, but the view depends on your location, the local horizon, darkness and weather.
- Angular separation (°)
- 1.193
Make it local
Can I see it near me?
See the best time to look and whether clouds might get in the way. Local weather is usually available up to 16 days ahead.
Your network can suggest an approximate area; it may be wrong if you use a VPN. A city you choose is remembered in this tab until you close it. Precise location needs your browser’s permission and is never saved here. Your location stays out of share links and calendar downloads.
Choose a place for your local sky outlook.
Understand the moment
Close in our sky, far apart in space
Try it in the astronomy lab
Step back and see the arrangement.
Locate Earth and the event’s planets, then compare their arrangement on nearby dates. Use true distances to reason about sightlines from Earth; radial compression changes those apparent angles.
Opens . Each scene is an exact daily sample, without interpolation; it is separate from the catalog peak of 02:04 UTC.
How to read the scene: The heliocentric scene does not draw the observer’s sky or reproduce the exact closest angular separation. A conjunction can occur too near the Sun for useful observing.
A little context. A better view.
Planetary Events: a field guide
Conjunctions are apparent meetings
Two objects can look close together from Earth while remaining far apart in space. Angular separation describes their apparent spacing, not their physical distance.
Opposition favors outer planets
An outer planet at opposition lies opposite the Sun in our sky. It is generally well placed during the night; its altitude and your weather still shape the observing opportunity.
Elongation measures distance from the Sun in the sky
Greatest elongation can make Mercury or Venus easier to find in the evening or morning. A low horizon and local twilight conditions are important, even when the separation is large.
A catalog event is not always observable
Some conjunctions occur close to the Sun. The event page preserves that distinction. Never sweep near the Sun with binoculars or a telescope to find a planet.
Learn more: NASA’s guide to observing the planets
More to look forward to
All planetary events ↗
Sep262026 · UTC
Neptune at Opposition
Neptune lies opposite the Sun, rises near sunset, and is favorably placed for observing.
Oct42026 · UTC
Saturn at Opposition
Saturn lies opposite the Sun, rises near sunset, and is favorably placed for observing.
Oct122026 · UTC
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best placed in the evening sky.
Nov202026 · UTC
Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
Mercury reaches its widest apparent separation from the Sun and is best placed in the morning sky.
Take the sky with you
From a date on a calendar
to a night worth remembering.
Open the astronomy calendar in Forecast Bar to explore events alongside your local weather and astronomy alert settings.
