<![CDATA[ Venus returns as a brilliant evening star in 2026, with dazzling conjunctions, peak brightness and stunning views through the summer. ]]>
Planetary conjunctions occur when two or more planets appear very close to each other in the sky from the perspective of an observer on Earth. These events can create stunning visual displays and are often used by astronomers to study planetary positions.
The brightness of a planet is determined by its distance from the Sun and Earth, its size, and its reflective properties. Some planets, like Venus, can become exceptionally bright and are often referred to as 'evening stars' or 'morning stars' when they are visible shortly after sunset or before sunrise.