The dance of Venus and Jupiter in the sky 0:27
(CNN) --
Venus and Jupiter will appear to touch in the sky by the end of the month, despite being separated by millions of miles.
The two planets will appear closer together around 3 pm ET on April 30, with Venus 0.2 degrees south of Jupiter, according to EarthSky.
The apparent distance is less than the diameter of the moon, the space site added.
By May 1, the planets will have continued on their paths and from Earth's point of view they will appear to be receding.
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The Venus-Jupiter conjunction happens about once a year, but this year the two planets will appear significantly closer than they usually are, said Patrick Hartigan, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University in Houston.
According to NASA, a conjunction is when, from Earth's point of view, two planets appear to touch in the sky.
The last time both planets were closer than this year's conjunction was in August 2016, although it was harder to see since they were closer to the Sun, according to Hartigan.
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On the nights before the conjunction, the Moon will slowly become less visible as it transitions to a new moon on April 30, NASA reported.
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Although the conjunction takes place at the end of the month, viewers can already see the two planets slowly approaching each other.
On April 27, they will be separated by 3.2 degrees, EarthSky said.
Mars and Saturn will line up roughly north of Venus and Jupiter, according to EarthSky, meaning astronomers will be able to see four planets while watching the conjunction.
Alignment means that the planets form a line between them, but do not appear significantly close to each other as a conjunction.
"Venus and Jupiter are usually the two brightest planets in the sky, so they can put on quite a show when they're in close conjunction. It's a beautiful sight and easy for everyone to see," Hartigan said.
How to see the conjunction
The early morning hours of April 30 and May 1 will provide excellent viewing opportunities, according to EarthSky, and you won't need a telescope to see them.
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In the Northern Hemisphere, viewers should look along the southeastern horizon just as sunrise begins, but while it's still dark enough to see some stars, Hartigan said.
Stargazers in the southern hemisphere will also be able to see the conjunction, except that Venus and Jupiter will appear above the eastern horizon, EarthSky said.
Unlike in the northern hemisphere, Venus will appear above Jupiter on April 30 and below Jupiter on May 1 in the southern hemisphere, according to Hartigan.
Because the Moon will not be illuminated, it will be easier to see the two planets almost touching each other in the sky.
That is as long as the sky is clear, as clouds would otherwise block the view of the conjunction.
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