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Venus and Jupiter are closing rapidly in preparation for their conjunction on August 12.  Venus is approaching the magnitude 5.3 star 36 Geminorum (which it will pass about 9 hours after the time of this picture) and shines at magnitude -3.98, while Jupiter shines at magnitude -1.96; they are now separated by only 2°02'45".  Even without seeing the line of the ecliptic in the sky, it is beginning to become apparent that Venus will pass well to the south of Jupiter when they experience their conjunction on the 12th.