Inferior Conjunction

In this planetary alignment, the planet moves through a point in its orbit so that it is in between the Earth and the Sun. Of course, only Mercury and Venus can ever be in inferior conjunction. In reality, there is no way that one could observe either of these planets at this time. Well, that's not entirely true. It is possible for Venus to pass a little north or south of the Sun and a patient, and careful, observer might spot it in a telescope. One could then observe the sunlight filtering through the dense atmosphere of Venus to create a ring around the planet. And, every once in a long while, both Mercury and Venus could transit the Sun. In that case, we could see the silhouette of these planets take a hour or so to slowly march across the face of the Sun.

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