NASA Deep Atmosphere of Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging” (DAVINCI) will launch to Venus in 2029 and includes an atmospheric descent probe. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center James Tralie (ADNET): Lead Producer Lead Editor Giada Arney (NASA): Narrator Walt Feimer (KBRwyle): Animator Jonathan North (KBRwyle): Animator Michael Lentz (KBRwyle): Animator Krystofer Kim (KBRwyle): Animator James Garvin (NASA,

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope reveal GJ 1214 b, a unique exoplanet with a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere, challenging typical planetary classifications and offering new insights into planetary formation and evolution.

Earth ejecta, for instance, could hold Earth life.

Planetary scientists simulated past events on Venus to determine why Venus and Earth are so different. They found geological and atmospheric processes transformed Venus into an extreme planet.

“Saturday evening, January 18: Venus and Saturn will appear nearest to each other. As evening twilight ends at 6:15 p.m. EST, Venus will be 30 degrees above the southwestern horizon with Saturn 2.2 degrees to the lower left. Saturn will set first on the western horizon almost 3 hours later at 9:04 p.m.”

G3 (ATLAS) should be visible from the southern hemisphere, and possibly also the northern hemisphere, over the next few days

On the evenings of Jan. 17 and 18, the planets will appear virtually side by side, in what's called a “planetary conjunction.”

There are six planets in the night sky all week, four of them visible to the naked eye and two of them getting very close indeed. Here's how to watch.

But what about Venus, one of Earth’s closest neighbors, or planets and moons even farther away? Scientists and space agencies around the world have big plans to explore Venus and beyond, uncovering the secrets of our solar system and possibly even signs of life.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot storm, which usually appears dark-red, can be seen shining a lurid blue color in an ultraviolet image of the planet.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills. Venus and Earth, although they've taken two dramatically different climatic roads, are considered sibling planets.

Skywatchers can spot Venus, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in the night sky with the naked eye, but two other planets might need a telescope to be seen.