For those who care to look, there are an endless number of natural spectacles on this planet. But sometimes, it is our vantage point in the Universe that yields the visual splendor.
This week, Jupiter and Venus close in on one another in the southwest sky; this spectacular rendezvous is best observed just after dusk. Their pairing, of course, is just a temporary illusion, produced by our current point of view. In fact, Jupiter, though much larger, is five times further from Earth than is Venus; on the other hand, Venus, orbiting much closer to the sun, is far brighter than Jupiter (both, of course, are merely reflecting light from the sun).
Natural spectacles on Earth make us feel part of a complex yet beautiful ecosystem. Those in the night sky induce wonder and humility. Our magnificent planet is, after all, just another bright light in a vast sea of darkness.
