Catch a Glimpse of Planet Venus This Week
Sky watchers and space observers will have the opportunity to see planet Venus in the evening sky later this week.
Venus passed behind the Sun, from Earth’s point-of-view, on Aug. 18. This type of event, known as a "superior conjunction”, makes Venus appear invisible behind the bright glare of the Sun.
In the ensuing days after the last superior conjunction, Venus crawled slowly toward Earth’s east then pulled itself slowly away from the sun's general vicinity.
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This week will mark Venus' appearance as an evening "star" in the sky, when it will be visible in the lower section of the western twilight.
Venus set itself about 23 degrees southwest on Oct. 24, which equates to about 50 minutes after sunset, when experienced sky watchers could have caught a substantial view of the planet.
On Oct. 30, Venus' viewing time after sunset will increase to 55 minutes, an optimum time for less experienced onlookers to catch a better glimpse of the planet.
Joe Rao, a writer for Space.com, proposed a challenge to every sky watcher in the world: "On Thursday evening, scan with binoculars for the planet Mercury a couple of degrees below Venus, with the two planets hanging a few degrees above the west-southwestern horizon about 30 minutes after sunset."
"Situated below and to the right of the two planets this evening is a very thin crescent moon, only about 26 hours past new phase," said Rao. "You'll improve your chances of seeing it using binoculars."
Sky watchers should also mark their calendars for the third week of June when Venus will reemerge as a "morning star." Its appearance will take place just above the east-northeast horizon.
Venus is widely known for being the second planet from the Sun, with its name derived from the ancient Roman goddess of love and beauty.
