325: CONJUNCTION OF VENUS AND JUPITER

 Some called the conjunction of the two brightest planets Venus and Jupiter last night on June 30, 2015 as a resemblance of the biblical 'Star of Bethlehem'. A very similar conjunction of these two planets apparently occurred in the month of June in 2 BC. Many have said that the conjunction of these two planets was the sign of the conception of Christ. The planet Jupiter (which is the male symbol of the Father) actually appeared to come into contact with Venus (the female symbol of the Virgin Mary). After sunset, both of these planet “joined” and descended to the earth after sunset.  

I had been watching these two planets for days getting closer and closer in the clear evening skies above Salt Lake. The weather forecast for the “conjunction” last night was not favorable for star gazing with the increasing clouds and a storm blowing in around 9:00 PM. I didn’t think it was going to be possible to see the two planets come within a moon’s width, which is "very rare". However, a miracle happened and a small window in the clouds allowed me to take a few photos. 

 

Photo taken on June 30, 2015 from my office in downtown Salt Lake.
In the center of the photo is the bright star Venus and Jupiter just abvoe and to the right of Venus.
It might be hard to see in the small photo, but it is the "white speck" in the center of the photo.

photo taken on June 30, 2015 of the planets Venus and Jupiter using my camera's zoom lens.