Brilliant Venus and Saturn shine from the southwest this evening as seen from the Chicago area. (Click the image to see it larger.) During the next month, Venus sets later each evening. By the end of October, it sets about 2 hours, 20 minutes after sunset.
When the wind blows from the east or northeast, the flight approach paths to the region’ s major airports are from the southwest. When Venus is in the sky, it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the planet and the airplanes.
Saturn is rapidly disappearing into bright evening twilight as it heads towards its solar conjunction. Tonight it is 12 degrees to the right of Venus with the star Zubenelgenubi in between them.
The star Antares is nearly 19 degrees to the upper left of Venus. Watch the two appear closer each evening. By mid-October, Venus passes about 2 degrees above the star.
For this month’s sky summary, click here.
Read more about Venus as an Evening Star.