GUWAHATI: Venus will pass between Earth and the Sun on Saturday, in a rare event known as an "inferior conjunction." This occurrence takes place approximately every 19 months, causing Venus to appear very close to the Sun in the sky. However, experts warn that the event will be difficult to observe without specialised equipment and a trained eye.
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The inferior conjunction is expected to occur around 9 PM EDT (6:30 AM IST Sunday). Michelle Nichols, an astronomer from Chicago's Adler Planetarium, explained, "The glare from the Sun makes it really, really difficult to see." As a result, observers should not expect to see the event with the naked eye.
In the days leading up to the conjunction, Venus will be visible just after sunset as the brightest object in the sky. However, it will appear as a thin crescent before and after the conjunction, which can only be seen with a telescope.
After the conjunction, Venus will shift to the morning sky, becoming visible just before sunrise. While this may not offer an eye-catching display for most people, scientists will use the event to study planetary movements. Experts also emphasise the importance of not looking directly at the Sun, as it can cause serious eye damage.
