October 15, 2021: Brilliant Evening Star Venus is near the star Antares this evening after sunset. Another star in Scorpius, Al Niyat, along with Venus and Antares mark the corners of a small celestial triangle.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 7:03 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 6:09 p.m. CDT. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times for your location.
This evening, brilliant Venus continues its eastward trek through Scorpius. Look for the planet low in the southwest at forty-five minutes after sunset.
It is nearing a conjunction with Antares – “the rival of Mars.” In celestial artwork, the star is the Scorpion’s art.
Al Niyat – “the artery” is to the right of Antares. Tau Scorpii (τ Sco on the chart) is sometimes assigned the same name. The stars’ proximities Antares indicate the important cardiac function of that star.
This evening, a binocular is helpful to initially see the trio. Can you find all three without the binocular’s optical assist? Antares and Al Niyat are 2.0° apart. Venus is 1.4° to the upper left of Al Niyat and 1.7° to the upper right of Antares. This is not quite an equilateral triangle, but together they are a pretty sight.
Farther eastward the moon, Jupiter, and Saturn are toward the southeastern sky. See this article or listen to the podcast about them on your favorite audio service for more information about the moon and the two giant planets.
Detailed Daily Note: The moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are strung across the sky from east to west after sunset. The bright moon (9.5d, 79%) is about 20° up in the southeast. Jupiter is that “bright star”, 8.0° to the upper right of the lunar orb. Saturn, nearly 28° up in the south-southeast, is 15.4° of ecliptic longitude west (to the right) of Jupiter. At forty-five minutes after sunset, Venus, 57.7° of ecliptic longitude west of Saturn, is 10.0° up in the southwest. It is 1.4° to the upper left of Al Niyat and 1.7° to the upper right of Antares, not quite an equilateral triangle. At 46° east of the sun, Venus is an evening gibbous, 56% illuminated and 21.6” across. Venus sets nearly two hours after sunset. At this time the moon is over 28° above the south-southeast horizon. Jupiter is to the upper right of the lunar orb. Saturn, is at about the same altitude as the moon and nearly 23° to its right. The Ringed Wonder is slightly west of the meridian. As the calendar day ends, the trio is in the southwest. The moon is 24° above the horizon. Jupiter is to its lower right. Saturn is only about 9° above the southwestern horizon.
RECENT PODCASTS
RECENT ARTICLES
2022, February 23: Morning Planets, Moon, Evening Letter
February 23, 2022: Brilliant Morning Star Venus and Mars are in the south before sunup, while the moon is in the south. The bright stars of winter make a letter in the night sky.
Keep reading
2022, February 22: Moon Covers Star, Evening Little Dog
February 22, 2022: The moon covers Zubenelgenubi before sunrise. Venus and Mars are in the southeast before sunup. Canis Minor is in the southern sky during early evening hours.
Keep reading
2022, February 21: Morning Planet Ballet, Evening Dog
February 21, 2022: Venus and Mars dance in the southeastern sky before sunrise. The bright moon is near Spica. During the evening the Dog Star is in the southern sky.
Keep readingCategories: Astronomy, Sky Watching
Leave a Reply