The Iridium 32 satellite, Venus and Jupiter
The photo shows the Iridium 32 satellite, visible as a short streak of light to the upper left. The planets Venus and Jupiter are visible as bright stars to the right of image.
Photo by Aymen Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist 

On 23 November 2008, the Iridium 32 satellite flew over Alexandria, Egypt. Observing from the BA Plaza, BA Senior Astronomy Specialist Aymen Ibrahem photographed the satellite, which was visible to the unaided eye as a flaring star-like object. Interestingly, Iridium 32 passed near the planets Jupiter and Venus, now in conjunction in the western evening sky.

 
The Iridium satellites are a constellation of 66 communication satellites. Normally, they are barely visible, or even invisible to the unaided eye. An observer will often need a binocular to observe an Iridium satellite.

Occasionally, however, an Iridium satellite flares, attaining a high brightness. This flare occurs when one of the polished antennae of the satellite reflects sunlight directly to Earth. The Iridium flares last only a few seconds, and can be predicted using special computer programs. Some Iridium flares may be bright enough to be visible in the daytime sky.

Venus and Jupiter are now in conjunction, in the southwest. Two planets are said to be in conjunction when they are located near the line of sight. Certainly, there is no chance of collision between Venus and Jupiter. Venus, the nearest planet to Earth, is now approximately 150 million km away, but at it comes to within about 40 million km from Earth, at its closest approach. Jupiter, the largest planet, is currently approximately 900 million km from Earth. The minimum distance of Jupiter from Earth is about 590 million km.

Further Reading

You Sky
http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/
Venus
http://www.nineplanets.org/venus.html
Jupiter
http://www.nineplanets.org/jupiter.html

Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist