Two of the brightest objects in the sky, Venus and Jupiter, will 'collide' this evening, precipitating a spectacular stargazing event.

The planets will converge in the sky tonight for what's described as a 'jaw-dropping close encounter' by NASA.

Every week since last winter, the two planets have appeared to inch closer and closer to each other and tonight represents the point they will appear to be at their closest.

The phenomenon will not be seen again from the UK until November 2019.

How do I see this it?

To view it you have to go outside and look west just as the sun goes down - you don’t even have to wait until the sky is fully dark.

During the first two weeks of this month the planets appeared to move towards each other until they were about 10 degrees apart, meaning that you can hide both of them at the same time behind the palm of your outstretched hand.

On June 18, Venus and Jupiter were only 6 degrees apart - that meant you could hide them both behind just two or three of your fingers with your arm outstretched.

The planets may look like they are about to collide due to an illusion caused by line-of-sight but will in fact be hundreds of millions of miles apart – roughly two thirds of a full moon's width apart.

What time will it happen?

In the UK, the best time to look will be between 10.30 to 11pm towards the west-northwest horizon. The further north and west in the UK you are, the later you should look.

Where are Venus and Jupiter in the solar system?

Venus, named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. Jupiter, named after the Roman god, is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in the Solar System.