Just as the Perseid meteor shower approaches its peak, two luminous planets are getting in on the night-sky action.
Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets in the sky, will meet in a conjunction very early tomorrow morning (Aug. 12). On this morning, the two planets will be less than a degree apart — approximately the length of your pinkie when held up to the sky at arm's length. Because they'll appear close together, you'll be able to view both simultaneously through skywatching binoculars or a backyard telescope.
If you want to see the conjunction, you'll have to either stay out late or get up early: Venus and Jupiter rise together around 3 a.m. local time and set together around 6 a.m. local time. However, these times vary slightly depending on your exact location. You can use Time and Date to check the precise rise and set times for your area.
