Astrophotographer Soumyadeep Mukherjee has created a striking 30-day composite image, titled “Closer, Everyday,” documenting the subtle celestial journey of Jupiter and Venus in the western night sky. The collage captures the planets’ apparent proximity as they moved across the sky above Kolkata, India, leading up to a notable planetary conjunction.
The photographs were taken between May 11 and June 9 using a Nikon Z6II camera equipped with a Sigma 50 mm lens. Mukherjee focused on capturing images in the hours following sunset. He aimed to photograph during civil twilight on most occasions to highlight the varying colors of the twilight sky alongside the planets. However, cloudy conditions on some days necessitated capturing images during nautical and astronomical twilight.
Consistent Technique for Planetary Progression
Throughout the 30-day period, Mukherjee maintained a consistent photographic approach. The camera was kept level with the horizon, and efforts were made to position the planets centrally within the frame for each shot. The only variable adjusted was the shutter speed, which was modified to accommodate changing light conditions. This meticulous technique allowed for a clear visualization of the planets’ procession.
The composite image illustrates the relentless movement of Jupiter and Venus as they orbited the sun. From Earth’s perspective, they appeared to draw progressively nearer to each other in the sky. This apparent celestial dance concluded on June 9, depicted in the final panel of the collage, when the two planets appeared less than 2 degrees apart above the western horizon, offering a dramatic conjunction visible to skywatchers globally.
Perspective and Actual Distances
While the planets appeared exceptionally close in the sky, this proximity was a matter of perspective from Earth. In reality, during the 30-day observation period, Venus was actually increasing its distance from Jupiter. As Venus raced toward Earth, it moved an additional 27 million miles (43 million kilometers) further away from the gas giant.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
