Still visible low in the western sky during evening twilight, Venus treks through Virgo during 39 evenings, beginning August 10. During mid-August attempt to view five planets in the sky simultaneously. The challenging view is with Mercury and Mars that are low in the western sky during very bright twilight. Venus passes Spica on September 5. A nice grouping of Venus, the moon, and Spica occurs on September 9. Near mid-month, Venus begins to rapidly close on Earth. The planet quickly brightens in the sky. After late September, Venus begins to set after the end of evening twilight.
The time interval for the descriptions and charts is 45 minutes after sunset. To track Venus as it moves through the constellation and passes dimmer stars, see this, semi-technical summary.
Venus as an Evening Star Article
On August 10 and August 11, the crescent moon is near Venus. On August 10, the moon – 7% illuminated – is 5.7° to the right of Venus.
On the next evening the moon – 14% illuminated – is 8.1° to the upper left of the brilliant planet.
During mid-August, it may be possible to see five planets simultaneously. Mercury and Mars are the challenging grouping. Mercury is making a poorly-observed visit.
On August 24, Venus passes 2.5° to the lower left of Gamma Virginis (γ Vir on the chart).
Venus passes Spica, the constellation’s brightest star on September 5, when the planet is 1.5° to the upper right of the star.
On September 9, less than 8° above the west-southwest horizon, Venus is 3.9° to the lower left of the moon. Notice Spica, 5.0° from Venus, makes a nice triangle with the planet and the moon. Spica is 4.8° below the moon. The chart above shows a simulated binocular view of the scene. See them low in the west-southwest.
2021, October 23: Morning Moon Near Pleiades
October 23, 2021: This morning the bright moon is near the Pleiades star cluster. Mercury is making its best morning appearance. In the evening sky, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are easy to spot.
2021, October 22, Mercury’s Morning Best, Arcturus
October 22. 2021: Speedy Mercury is low in the east before sunrise. It is putting on its best morning performance of the year. Arcturus, in the east-northeast, is about the same altitude as Mercury.
2021, October 21 – November 1: Venus Steps Through Ophiuchus
October 21-November 1, 2021: Brilliant Venus steps through Ophiuchus to the upper left of the star Antares in the southwest after sunset . Afterward, the planet steps farther eastward.
2021, October 21, Bright Morning Moon, Mercury, Evening Planet Pack
October 21, 2021: The bright moon is low in the west about an hour before sunrise. Mercury is in the east at about the same altitude as Arcturus. Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter shine from the evening sky.
2021, December 18: James Webb Space Telescope Launch
December 18, 2021: This is the anticipated launch date of the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most sophisticated space telescope view the universe.
Categories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
Leave a Reply