Reader Mike Eisenhut sent us this photo yesterday (knowing this writer's predilection for space stuff) of Jupiter and Venus glowing brightly behind the Washington Monument. That's Venus just to the left, about halfway up the Monument, and Jupiter to its upper left.

But this is more than just a neat photo for space nerds. While you're taking a break from your raucous family gatherings this weekend, we encourage you to look up to the sky to see something special -- a three-way conjunction of Jupiter, Venus, and the crescent Moon that NASA is calling "the best sky show of the year."

Jupiter and Venus have been rapidly hurling towards each other (much faster than in typical convergence) in the sky for a few days, and will continue to get closer and closer over the weekend. The show heats up when the two brightest planets start to converge on the crescent Moon on Sunday night, and snuggle right up to it on Monday night. As NASA puts it, "The three brightest objects in the night sky will be gathered so tightly together, you can hide them all behind your thumb held at arm's length."

We won't see Jupiter and Venus converge again until March of 2012. To find the conjunction, look to the southwest, fairly low on the horizon, just after sunset. The closest the three objects will be is around 7 p.m. on Monday night. Take the opportunity to show your nieces and nephews how smart you are, and don't forget to take some more photos for the DCist pool!