THE moon and the planets are doing a stately dance in the sky over the next few weeks, providing a fascinating spectacle for people interested in astronomy.

Alloway Observatory director Mac Jonsen said anyone who looked at the night sky tonight would see the moon sandwiched between Venus on the left and Jupiter on the right.

The best time to look would be about an hour after sunset, he said.

"It's well worthwhile taking a look," he said.

Mr Jonsen said things would get even more interesting towards the end of the month and in March.

He said the best time to look would be on March 26.

Venus and Jupiter would look like they had swapped places, with the moon still sandwiched between them.

Jupiter and Venus would look like they were close together.

"Jupiter will be low down, and Venus will be right up high," he said.

Mars and Saturn would also be prominent in the night sky, putting on a celestial light show.

Astronomer Dave Reneke said Venus and Jupiter were about 20 degrees apart, about the width of two closed fists held at arm's length.

"By the end of the month, the angle narrows to only 10 degrees - so close that you can hide them together behind your outstretched palm," he said.

"Their combined beauty grows each night as the distance between them shrinks."

Mr Reneke said the moon, Venus and Jupiter were the brightest objects in the night sky and together they could shine through urban lights, fog, and even some clouds.

"They'll probably defeat the glare from your outside streetlights so carelessly left unshrouded by most councils," he said.

On March 12 and 13 Jupiter and Venus will be only three degrees apart, making them a spectacular double beacon in the sky.

Mr Reneke said the delta-Leonids meteor shower was also still happening.

"Standing outdoors, mesmerised by planets aligned in a late summer sunset, you might just forget all about Julia, Kev and Tony for a while," he said.

"At least the stars make sense."