A spectacular celestial sight could be seen in the skies over Wales on Wednesday night as the moon made a close approach to Venus and Jupiter in the sky. The two brightest planets met in the sky just after sunset, with the space between them occupied by a sliver of a crescent moon.
Stargazers across the world were able to see the conjunction as the planets stood out brightly against the evening sky. Jupiter is visible above the moon and Venus - the third brightest celestial object in the night sky - below it. As February progresses, the planets are moving closer together.
According to the UK Space Agency, the two planets reach their apparent closest point at the start of March where, with the naked eye, they will appear to form one large, bright point of light in the evening sky. People looking to the skies across Wales were able to take pictures of the spectacular show.
Read more: Models suggest major stratospheric warming will cause 'much colder weather' in the UK
Jo Stephens captured the conjunction over New Tredegar, saying that it was something that she had not seen before. In North Wales, Micahel Fay was able to capture the conjunction on camera, with Jupiter, Venus, and the moon all clearly visible in the pictures.
Astronomer Dr Jenifer Millard advised people to look to the skies just after sunset to catch a glimpse of the planets, sharing a simulated image of the view and tweeting: "Tonight is a beautiful conjunction between the thin crescent Moon, Venus, and Jupiter. Look to the west shortly after sunset to catch the trio! Simulated view from @FifthStarLabs Sky Guide app. Venus will be the brighter one closer to the horizon."
The two planets will eventually converge for a close encounter on March 1. BBC weatherman Derek Brockway called for people to take a look at the western skies, tweeting, along with a picture of the conjunction: "In the western sky now. A beautiful planetary conjunction! The thin crescent Moon is sandwiched between Jupiter (above the Moon) and Venus (brighter and below the Moon). Thanks for the tip Jeni @DrJeniMillard"
Read next:
What the Met Office says about sudden stratospheric warming and another Beast from the East
Welsh couple stranded at Gatwick after Storm Otto diverts their EasyJet flight to Bristol Airport
Met Office warning of snow from this date as it predicts chance of widespread wintry conditions
Sudden Stratospheric Warming, a 'key step to Beast From the East', is underway
Met Office forecasts when temperatures will finally rise in Wales
