Planet Venus, the brightest celestial object in Earth’s skies after the sun and moon, is at its greatest brilliance in the evening sky right now through February 19. The Evening Star will charm us into March before disappearing from the evening sky and reappearing as the Morning Star in April.
Venus, our neighboring planet, is exceptionally bright about once every 19 months, because it is closer to Earth than the other planets and its “clouds are thick and composed mainly (75%-96%) of sulfuric acid droplets. These clouds obscure the surface of Venus from optical imaging, and reflect about 75% of the sunlight that falls on them.”
At peak magnitude, seek out the goddess of love planet in a clear blue sky in the west-southwest during daylight hours, being extremely careful to keep eyes diverted from the sun. Venus will appear as a point of light, looking like a star in the bright sky. Spot the Evening Star above the treetops in hilly terrain to the west-southwest from late afternoon into twilight, about 6 to 7 p.m., and closer to the horizon at nightfall. Venus sets in the west around 8 p.m.
Sunset is at 5:25 p.m. today, the 15th, and 5:41 p.m. on the 28th. On March 15, the sun sets close to due west at 6 p.m. (think spring equinox, March 20). On March 15, Venus sets in the west at 7:11 p.m.
Refer to the November 24, 2024, edition of “Eyes to the Sky” for an appreciation of what remains in the skyscape spanning two months and the pace of change in the celestial sphere.
A note from the earthly realm
Tomorrow, Sunday, February 16, at 2 p.m.: Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 28th Annual Winter Lecture: Jacqueline van der Kloet. Call to register.
