LUCKNOW, June 10 -- Amidst cloud cover, Lucknow's sky became a canvas for a rare show on Monday evening as Venus and Jupiter moved so close they looked like one bright star. Astronomers call it a "planetary conjunction" - when two planets appear less than 3 degrees apart. This time, the gap was just 1 degree 36 arcminutes, about 1.6 degrees. From Earth, it was a cosmic kiss between the two brightest planets in our Solar System, said Sumit Srivastava, scientific officer at the Indira Gandhi Planetarium. "The last time Venus and Jupiter came this close was 1 March 2023, at just 0.5 degrees. The next 'exceptionally close' meeting will be on 10 November 2028, when they'll be 0.8 degrees apart in the pre-dawn sky," said Srivastava. Over 2,500 people turned up at Planetarium, which had set up two high-powered telescopes and two astrophotography stations on campus. Two more telescopes were placed at Lete Hue Hanuman Ji Temple, Panchvati Ghat, Chowk, so devotees visiting for Bada Mangal could witness it. Soon after sunset, Venus, Jupiter and even Mercury were visible above horizon. Through the lenses, the magic unfolded. Jupiter's bands were clear, and its two Galilean moons - Europa and Callisto - stole the show. "Jupiter had two moons visible today. It was a good experience. I studied this in school and came to know about the event from a WhatsApp group," said Aryan Kushwaha, 20, a student of Lucknow University's sociology department. Mohammad Anas, 16, a Class 10 student who has been coming since 2018, said he first came with a teacher and then joined the Uttar Pradesh Amateur Astronomers Club. "I am interested in witnessing the celestial delights. At workshops I learned to handle a telescope and lens," he said. For families, it was a bonding moment. "My son and I used to come frequently and later he became part of the UPAAC. This time, I came with my tenants Amita and Hemlata. It feels good to know about stars and seeing them," said Anita Issar, 50. htc...