Wadhurst and Tunbridge Wells Astronomical Society

15/10/2026

06/07/2026

Details of our next meeting on Wednesday, 15th July:

11/06/2026

See Venus and Jupiter in Conjunction.

In the coming days Venus and Jupiter will close in on each other until, on the 9th, the two are in conjunction and will pass just 1½° apart whilst Mercury is just to the south west of the pair. This is shown in figs 1 and 2 where the planets are identified as Jupiter (J), Venus (V) and Mercury (M) on the 10th and 15th of the month. In both of these diagrams, the Sun is 6° below the horizon. Some of the brighter stars are identified in italics.

Then on the 16th a 4½% illuminated crescent Moon lies just to the north of Mercury whilst a day later it is just south of Venus. This coming together of solar system objects should make for some interesting photo opportunities.

13/05/2026

Details of our next meeting:

05/05/2026

Venus Moves Closer to Jupiter during May and Mercury Appears.

Venus and Jupiter are both now visible in the western sky soon after the Sun is out of the way. The map is drawn for the middle of May at 10pm and shows Jupiter 25° in altitude, close to due west, and the brighter Venus 12° high in the WNW. At this time the Sun is 10° below the horizon.

As the days pass Venus moves swiftly towards Jupiter (they will pass each other on 9th June) and by the end of May, Mercury has joined the party low down in the NW.

Please remember that you must NOT search for these bodies with optical aid of any sort until you are sure the Sun has set. You risk blindness if you inadvertently look at the Sun.