May 11-15, 2026: Venus passes between Taurus’ horns, Elnath and Zeta Tauri, while closing the gap to Jupiter in the western sky after sunset.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Venus as an Evening Star
Venus Approaches Jupiter
Venus and Jupiter are in the western sky after sunset. Their best showing occurs about an hour after sunset, at approximately mid-twilight.
Venus between the Bull’s Horns
During the next few evenings, Venus passes between Taurus’ horns, Elnath and Zeta Tauri. As the second brightest celestial body, Venus easily shines through evening twilight. It can be seen as early as 30 minutes after sunset. Thirty minutes later, it is 15° above the west-northwest horizon. Elnath, the northern horn, is to the upper right, while Zeta Tauri is to the upper left.
Venus is closing the gap to Jupiter as their conjunction occurs on June 9. The Jovian Giant, noticeably dimmer than Venus but brighter than all the stars in the sky tonight, is about halfway from the west horizon to overhead.
The Highlights
Here’s what to see in the western sky an hour after sunset:
• May 11: Brilliant Venus is 4.2° to the lower left of Elnath and 5.0° to the lower left of Zeta Tauri. The Venus–Jupiter gap is 28.9°.
• May 12: The Venus–Elnath conjunction occurs with a gap of 4.0° and the planet to the lower left, while Zeta Tauri is 4.2° to the upper left. Venus–Jupiter, 27.9°.
• May 13: Venus passes between the horns, 4.1° to Elnath’s lower left and 3.8° to Zeta Tauri’s lower right. Venus–Jupiter, 26.9°.
• May 14: The Venus–Zeta Tauri conjunction occurs with a gap of 3.7° and Venus to the upper right. Venus is 4.5° to the lower left of Elnath. Venus–Jupiter, 25.8°.
• May 15: Venus is east of the horns, 3.9° to the upper right of Zeta Tauri and 5.2° to Elnath’s upper left. Venus–Jupiter, 24.8°.
Watch Venus step eastward each night as conjunctions occur with the two horn stars while it passes between them.
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