The sky of the northern hemisphere rewarded the early risers with a show of singular beauty.

Jupiter and Venus – the two brightest planets in the Solar System – appeared Monday together in the morning sky.

So together they were seen about an hour before dawn that, according to experts, seemed to shine like a single star.

However, this closeness is only apparent: while Venus was about 250 million kilometers from us, the gas giant was almost four times that distance.

Both planets could be seen without any implement.

However, with the help of a telescope it was possible to see also four of its (the largest) moons , known as the four Galilean satellite satellites.

Separated for more than a year

This astronomical phenomenon that is called conjunction occurs when two or more stars, normally planets or also the Moon, are in the same coordinate of right ascension, according to the east-west longitude in the sky that an observer measures from the Earth.

Like all astronomical events, they always look better in rural areas, far from the light pollution of the city.

The last time these two planets could be observed together was in August 2016.

As of this Monday, the two planets will be moving away.

Venus and Jupiter aligned. 06:01 GMT. pic.twitter.com/p6MKd7xwax

— Liza Chami (@LizaChami) November 13, 2017

Jupiter and Venus in conjunction, taken from Birmingham this morning #Astrophotography #Birmingham pic.twitter.com/01Zix8OT5y

— Tim Cornbill (@timcornbill) November 13, 2017