September 1, 2025: Venus steps eastward in front of Cancer, passing the Beehive cluster and aligning with Sirius in morning twilight. Watch the planet move toward Leo.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:17 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 7:24 p.m. CDT. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Related Articles
Venus Summary Article
Venus shines brightly in the eastern sky before sunrise during early September. The planet continues its steady eastward trek in front of the background stars, offering several easy-to-see alignments with bright stars and clusters. A binocular helps to see its close pass with the Beehive star cluster, while its equal altitude with Sirius creates a striking balance in the dawn sky.
Highlights
September 1:
Venus, stepping eastward in front of Cancer, is 20° to Jupiter’s lower left. Through a binocular, the Morning Star is 1.3° to the lower right of the Beehive star cluster (Messier 44, also known as Praesepe).
During the evening, the 76% illuminated moon is low in the south, near the Teapot’s spout. It stands 2.0° from Alnasl and less than 10° from Shaula and Lesath at the Scorpion’s tail. A binocular sweep highlights the Teapot’s region.
September 2–3:
Venus passes and moves away from Asellus Australis, a star in Cancer’s body. After sunset, check out the evening moon as it waxes and moves eastward each night.
September 4–9:
For six mornings, Venus and Sirius appear at nearly the same altitude during morning twilight. Although 45° apart in the sky, the brightest planet and the brightest star dominate the eastern view.
September 10:
Venus crosses the border into Leo, continuing its steady eastward steps.
During the first half of September, Venus offers striking views as it glides past Cancer’s star cluster and balances with Sirius across the morning sky. Each morning brings a small shift, making it worth checking often with the unaided eye and a binocular.
Looking Ahead
In the weeks ahead, Venus continues eastward through Leo, heading toward a late-September meeting with Regulus. The Morning Star remains the brightest object in the morning sky, guiding observers toward autumn’s changing constellations.
LATEST ARTICLES
- 2026, July 29: Jupiter Begins a New Apparition After Solar Conjunction
July 29, 2026: Jupiter reaches solar conjunction and begins a new morning apparition. Learn when the Jovian Giant returns to view and the key events of its next observing cycle. - 2026, July 28: Orion Returns to the Morning Sky While Mars Approaches Taurus’ Horns
July 28, 2026: Orion reappears in the predawn eastern sky while Mars advances toward Taurus’ horns. Learn where to find the Hunter and follow Mars’ changing position before sunrise. - 2026, July 26-29: Full Buck Moon Shines Near Sagittarius and Capricornus
July 26-29, 2026: Follow the Full Buck moon as it brightens summer evenings near Sagittarius and Capricornus. Learn when opposition occurs and where to find the moon during its brightest nights. - 2026, July 26: Saturn Begins Retrograde Motion: Understanding the Geometry Behind the Illusion
July 26, 2026: Saturn begins retrograde motion in the predawn sky. Learn why the Ringed Wonder appears to move westward, how opposition creates the effect, and where to observe it. - 2026, July 25: Moon Above the Cat’s Eyes While Venus Dominates the Evening Sky
July 25, 2026: The waxing gibbous moon passes above Shaula and Lesath, Venus dominates the western sky, Saturn nears retrograde motion, and Mars advances toward Taurus’ horns.