Look to the west, you may be able to catch a spectacular sight

Here are a few of the photos we've received so far this evening:

Barb Roberts
Stillman Valley



Jeff
Machesney Park

Pat Hochstein
Franklin Grove

Larissa Miller

Pam Munger

According to Sky and Telescope, many across the United States will get a spectacular view tonight of the planets Venus and Jupiter.  Have you noticed in the night sky how both the planets have been close to each other?  According to the online article, at the beginning of the month, the two planets were 20 degrees apart in the evening sky.  Over the past several weeks, Jupiter and the stars behind it have been gradually slipping lower in the evening twilight.  But Venus has remained high up.  Because of this, the planets will come within a third of a degree of each other, making it appear as one bright, double star in the evening sky.

The best viewing will be to the west about an hour after sunset, so around 9:30'ish.  Unfortunately for us, the cloud cover might be just a little too thick to get a good viewing.  But, it's worth a try.  Some have even called it the 'Star of Bethlehem'.  If you are able to see this awesome view, be sure to send in your photos: weather@wtvo.com