Conjunction, good from here
Mars and Jupiter side by side before dawn
The two planets pass just over a degree apart, about two finger-widths at arm’s length, high in the north-east before sunrise.
- When
- Monday, 16 November 2026, 04:04 CAT
- Best time
- 03:45 to 04:45 CAT on Monday, 16 November 2026
- Where to look
- North-east, about halfway up
- From Zimbabwe
- Good from here. An hour before sunrise both planets stand about 46 degrees up in the north-east, with Venus low in the east.
On the morning of 16 November, Mars and Jupiter appear only 1.2 degrees apart. Jupiter is the brighter of the two, a steady cream-white point; Mars is fainter and clearly orange. Brilliant Venus rises in the east below them. A pair of binoculars shows both planets in the same view, with Jupiter’s moons lined up beside it.
Tips for watching
Go out around 04:00. No equipment is needed; steady binoculars show Jupiter’s four bright moons.
Times are Central Africa Time, worked out for Harare; other towns in Zimbabwe differ by a few minutes. Source: Computed for Harare with Astronomy Engine; date cross-checked with When the Curves Line Up.