https://www.spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=17&month=04&year=2022

AN ALIGNMENT OF PLANETS: Something beautiful is happening in the morning sky. Just before the sun comes up, you can see four bright planets in a row. They are lining up days ahead of an amazing conjunction between Venus and Jupiter. Paolo Bardelli photographed the planetary sprawl before sunrise on April 16th from Sumirago, Italy:

"The four planets were aligned almost perfectly," says Bardelli. "Jupiter is still immersed in the mist, but visible despite its low height above the horizon."

This arrangement will change rapidly in the mornings to come. Jupiter will lift itself out of the mist as it converges with Venus for the finest conjunction of 2022. On April 30th and May 1st, the two planets will be less than 0.4 degrees apart. Visually, they may seem to merge into a single bright object. Only a few days earlier, on April 27th, the crescent Moon will join the planets to form a magnificent triangle in the pre-dawn sky. Set your alarm and enjoy the show!

Sky maps: April 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, May 1.