Stargazers in the South Island were treated to a glimpse of Jupiter's moons tonight.
Venus and Jupiter set over Port Chalmers on 30 June 2015. Photo: Twitter / @iangriffin
The phenomenon occurred because Jupiter and Venus orbited within two degrees of each other, on the same side of the sun.
It meant the two planets were the brightest objects in the sky after the sun and the moon.
The next time this will occur will be August 2016 but only to some areas of the globe.
The planets' movements followed another rare astronomical event this morning - a stellar occultation, in which Pluto passed briefly in front of a bright star.
Astronomers came from around the world to take advantage of the unusually clear view of the planet from sites throughout New Zealand.
When Jupiter met Venus. Not often you can see a sight like this! Can you see Jupiter’s moons? #conjunction #Dunedin pic.twitter.com/5OmHzJAUMB
— Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) June 30, 2015
Venus & Jupiter, set over Mount Cargill, Otago, New Zealand on 30th June 2015. What a sight! #Dunedin #conjunction pic.twitter.com/8yB349H5pz
— Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) June 30, 2015
Venus & Jupiter kiss Mount Cargill goodnight as they set over Dunedin. #Dunedin #conjunction #NewZealand #astronomy pic.twitter.com/n0mI9VMxgq
— Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) June 30, 2015
