Venus, Saturn will wow Texas astronomers Sunday. Here’s how to view the conjunction

This Sunday in Texas, roughly an hour after the sun sets, look up to the west to southwest corner of the evening sky and you will see Venus and Saturn a mere degree from each other.

It is the first near pairings, or conjunction, of two planets in this young year. Oh, and the two planets will be visible with the naked eye.

“2023 is only three weeks old, but already we’re about to witness the closest observable pairing of naked-eye planets this year,” space.com declares on its website.

Another celestial happening this year: Rare green comet last seen during time of Neanderthals returning within sight of Texas

Viewing conditions in North Texas will be great with the National Weather Service forecast calling for clear evening skies and cool temperatures.

The last time we witnessed the conjunction of planetary bodies was in November 2022 when the moon passed near Saturn, then Jupiter, Mars and Venus. For astronomers — professional and otherwise — that was a rare celestial treat.

As spring approaches, Venus will be dazzlingly bright — with little light from the waning crescent moon polluting the night sky, the two planets will appear clear and crisp.

The planetary pair will be so close to each other “that even with a small telescope you will be able to see them in the same field of view,” according to IFLScience.com.

“The most dazzling astronomical event of January is almost upon us,” IFLScience.com’s article breathlessly states.