After superior conjunction (March 26, 2021), Venus slowly emerges into the western evening sky during bright twilight. The closest Venus – moon grouping occurs on May 12. Venus is moving eastward in Taurus.
Venus as an Evening Star, semi-technical summary
On April 19, Venus sets at Civil Twilight, when the sun is only 6° below the horizon at 30 minutes after sunset. During the next few evenings, begin looking for Venus about 2° above the west-northwest horizon at about 20 minutes after sunset. Use a binocular to first locate it. It is making its first evening appearance of this apparition.
On May 12, Venus – about 5° up in the west-northwest – is 1.2° to the right of the thin crescent moon. This is the closest Venus – moon grouping for this apparition.
A few nights later, on May 16, Venus – 6.0° up in the west-northwest – is 5.7° to the upper right of Aldebaran. This is a challenging observation as the star is only 3.0° in altitude. Use a binocular to see the scene.
On May 21, Venus sets at Nautical Twilight, when the sun is 12° below the horizon at 74 minutes after sunset.
Venus as an Evening Star Article
2021, April 25: Mercury-Venus Conjunction, Mars, Bright Moon
April 25, 2021: Mercury passes Evening Star Venus this evening after sunset. Look low in the western sky about 20 minutes after sunset. Mars is marching eastward in Gemini, near the star cluster Messier 35. The bright moon is near Spica.
2021, April 25: Morning Planets, Jupiter, Saturn in Southeast
April 25, 2021: Morning planets Jupiter and Saturn are in the southeast before sunrise. Jupiter is in front of the stars of Aquarius, while Saturn’s starry background is Capricornus.
2021, April 24: Evening Star, Bright Mercury, Venus, Mars, Gibbous Moon
April 24, 2021: Brilliant Evening Star Venus and bright Mercury are entering the evening sky. They are low in the west-northwest during evening twilight. The bright moon is in the southeast in Virgo. Mars moves into Gemini as it approaches the star cluster Messier 35.
2021, April 24: Lunar Occultation, Morning Planets, Jupiter Saturn
April 24, 2021: The bright gibbous moon is near a star in Virgo during the early morning. From parts of the Western Hemisphere, the moon covers the star. Before sunrise, bright morning planets, Jupiter and Saturn are in the southeast before sunrise.
2021, April 23: Evening Star Venus, Mercury, Mars, Moon
April 23, 2021: Evening Star Venus and Mercury are entering the evening sky. They are found very low in the west-northwest after sunset. The bright moon is in the southeastern sky during the early evening. Mars is moving toward the star cluster Messier 35.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
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