We say that a planet is in conjunction with another planet or object when the two are in line as viewed from
Earth. This alignment is of no real astronomical importance, except that a planet in conjunction with the Sun will obviously not be
visible in the night sky. Planets in conjunction with each other make an attractive spectacle.
As inner planets, Mercury and Venus have inferior and superior solar conjunctions.
Inferior conjunction is when a planet lies between Earth and the Sun and superior conjunction is when a planet lies
behind the Sun. The outer planets may only have superior conjunctions with the Sun.
During 2007:
Mercury:
Inferior Conjunctions – 23rd February, 28th June and 23rd October.
Superior Conjunctions - 7th January, 3rd May, 15th August and 17th December.
Venus: Inferior Conjunction - 18th August.
Jupiter – 23rd December.
Saturn – 21st August.
Uranus – 5th March.
Neptune – 8th February.
Other objects in the sky that appear to be close to each other and are said to be in conjunction. A remarkable planetar
configuration occurs on 23rd and 24th December 2007 when Mars, Earth, the Sun, Mercury, Jupiter and the Galactic Centre will be in alignment,
accompanied by the Full Moon conjunct with Mars.
During 2006:
Mercury:
Inferior Conjunctions - 12th March, 18th July and 8th November.
Superior Conjunctions - 26th January, 18th May and 1st September.
Venus:
Inferior Conjunction - 14th January.
Superior Conjunction - 27th October.
Mars - 23rd October.
Jupiter - 21st November.
Saturn - 7th August.
Uranus - 1st March.
Neptune - 6th February.
We say that a planet is in conjunction with another planet or object when the two are in line as viewed from
Earth. This alignment is of no real astronomical importance, except that a planet in conjunction with the Sun will obviously not be
visible in the night sky. Planets in conjunction with each other make an attractive spectacle.
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