2024, October 17-23:  Venus Skips Past Scorpius

October 17-23, 2024:  Venus appears to move in front of a short section of the sky with the Scorpion’s head.

2016, August 25: Mars, Saturn, Antares.
Photo Caption – 2016, August 25: Mars, Saturn, Antares.

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by Jeffrey L. Hunt

Venus Skips Past Scorpius

Venus Skips Past Scorpius
Chart Caption – 2024, October 17-23: Venus steps in front of Scorpius. Look for Venus and the bright star Antares in the southwest after sundown.

For seven nights beginning October 17th and ending on the 23rd, brilliant Venus moves across a section of the sky that includes the Scorpion’s head.

The sun, moon, and planets roughly move along the plane of the solar system, known as the ecliptic – that is formed by Earth and Sun.  The moon deviates from the plane by over 5° as it revolves around Earth in a different orbital plane. Mercury’s inclination or angle with the ecliptic is about 2° larger than the moon’s value.

The distant stars form a backdrop for the celestial dances the planets make through their orbits.  These constellations have familiar names, such as Scorpius, Aquarius – the current backdrop for Saturn – Taurus, Jupiter’s sidereal background, or Gemini – Mars’ celestial setting.

Zodiac

Venus in Orion, August 7, 2020
2020, August 7: Venus is 0.9° below Chi1 Orionis (χ1 Ori) and 1.4° to the upper right of Chi2 Orionis (χ2 Ori).

These constellations form the zodiac, or circle of animals, that is defined to be 9° on either side of the ecliptic.  These stellar representations of mythological characters include parts of Ophiuchus, Cetus, and Orion, making at least 15 zodiacal characters.

Mars Marches into Taurus
Image Caption – Taurus as artwork, stick figure, and patch on the sky.

IAU Formalized 88 Constellations

The sky is divided into 88 constellations that are more than the famous characters.  They are like patches on a quilt, and highly irregular in various places.  In 1928, the International Astronomical Union – a scientific arbiter for celestial names and astronomical concepts – assigned the constellations’ borders.  In 2006, this group officially demoted Pluto to dwarf planet status.

Winter Messier Marathon Season
Chart Caption – A section of the Sky Atlas 2000.0 star map nebulae and star clusters near Scorpius’ tail. (Sky Publishing)

While Scorpius’ pattern can be traced in the sky, other dimmer celestial wonders are near the outline and included in the patch of the sky.  Astronomers sometimes use the term, “in Scorpius” to signify they are looking in that patchwork for their target of interest.  Sometimes they say “Venus is in Scorpius,” to indicate they are looking in that direction, although Venus is much closer than the stellar guideposts.  In articles here, a statement, such as “Venus is in front of Scorpius,” is used to specifically indicate the planet is closer to Earth than the stars and they are the backdrop like that in a stage play.

Scorpius in the southern sky
Chart Caption – Look south during summer evenings to see the Celestial Scorpion.

Venus, Sun with Scorpius and Ophiuchus

Because of the IAU’s definition, Venus is in front of (or in) Scorpius for only seven days.  Then it passes in front of Ophiuchus for 15 days before crossing the border with Sagittarius.  Similarly, the sun is in front of Scorpius for seven days, November 23-29 this year.  It is in front of Ophiuchus for 17 days.

While in front of Ophiuchus, Venus passes 3.1° from Antares on the 25th.  Each night, watch Venus step eastward against the starfield and skip past Scorpius into Ophiuchus.

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