October 2025: On its way to superior conjunction early next year, Venus slowly retreats into morning twilight.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
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Venus Summary Article
Morning Star during October
Morning Star Venus begins its retreat into morning twilight, heading toward its superior conjunction early next year.
After spring and summer when Venus passed Saturn and Jupiter, had pretty pairings with the moon, and moved against the bright starry backgrounds of Taurus and Gemini, the planet begins the month with Leo.
In early October, Venus continues its eastward trek through Leo, crossing in front of Virgo on the 9th. The moon passes the Morning Star on the 19th. Throughout the month, Venus loses 38 minutes of rising time relative to sunrise. By the 25th, it rises at the beginning of morning twilight, and by Halloween, it rises only 85 minutes before the sun.
Sky Watching Highlights
- October 1: At 45 minutes before daybreak, the Morning Star is nearly 15° up in the east, 14.5° to Regulus’ lower left, Leo’ brightest star, and 13.1° to the upper right of Denebola, the Lion’s tail.
- October 7: Venus passes Denebola in a wide conjunction, spanning 10.8°.
- October 9: Venus crosses the Leo-Virgo border.
- October 11: Venus, over 10° up in the east, passes 0.9° to the upper left of Zavijava, also known as Beta Virginis.
- October 19: Less than 10° in altitude, Venus is 4.0° to the moon’s lower left, 4% illuminated.
- October 22: Venus, less than 10° up in the east-southeast, passes 1.3° to the lower right of Porrima, also known as Gamma Virginis.
- October 25: Venus rises at the beginning of morning twilight.
Look for Venus in the eastern sky each morning as it steps eastward passing stars in Leo and Virgo.
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