RASNZ

Spectacular celestial alignment!

Over the coming week, keep an eye out early evening around 6 pm low in the northwestern sky for the bright planet Venus (Kōpū or Meremere in the evening sky) as it races higher up to meet Jupiter (Hine-i-tīweka).
On Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 June, in a spectacular scene these two bright planets will lie close to each other.
Mercury (Whiro) is also rising towards Jupiter during this time.
Take the time to have a look as it will be over 3 years before these two bright planets come close each other again.
NZ IAU Astronomy Outreach IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach

Some images from the RASNZ Conference in Blenheim at the Scenic Hotel, 15-17 May 2026. A special thanks to the RASNZ Standing Conference Committee and Local Organising Committee of the Omaka Observatory Trust for putting on such a fantastic conference.
NZ IAU Astronomy Outreach IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach