Venus shines beside Saturn in Ramadan night spectacle

2026-03-10 - 17:57

Dhofar – Stargazers across Oman observed a striking planetary alignment on Sunday and Monday as Venus and Saturn appeared close together in the evening sky shortly after sunset. The conjunction created a clear celestial pairing visible to the naked eye across the country. Speaking to Muscat Daily, astronomer Awad Al Saadouni said the event was among the most notable astronomical sights visible during the holy month. “The two planets appear extremely close in the sky – almost within the width of a finger when you stretch your arm towards the horizon,” said Al Saadouni, a member of the Arab Union for Space Sciences and Astronomy and head of the Dhofar Astronomical Observatory. Despite their apparent proximity, the actual distance between the two planets is vast, estimated at around 1.5bn km. Awad Al Saadouni During the conjunction, Venus appeared as the brightest object in the evening sky after the Moon, while Saturn shone nearby with a softer glow. Venus has dominated the western horizon in recent weeks and is expected to reach peak brightness towards the end of the month. Astronomers say the encounter marks Saturn’s final close appearance alongside Venus in the evening sky for this observing season. According to Al Saadouni, Saturn has been visible for months near the western horizon but is now moving closer to the Sun, making it harder to observe each evening. Saturn will reach solar conjunction on March 25, when it will align with the Sun and disappear from view in the solar glare. The planet’s absence will be temporary. After the conjunction, Saturn will gradually shift to the morning sky and reappear before sunrise several weeks later. By early May, observers can expect to see Saturn rising above the eastern horizon, marking the start of a new observation period for the ringed planet. For astronomy enthusiasts, the brief meeting between Venus and Saturn offered a reminder of the changing patterns in the night sky during the spring season.