September 5, 2026: Venus approaches greatest brilliancy on September 23. Watch the brilliant Evening Star near a thin crescent moon on September 13 and 14 low in the west-southwest after sunset.
by Jeffrey L. Hunt
Chicago, Illinois: Sunrise, 6:21 a.m. CDT; Sunset, 7:17 p.m. CDT. Times are calculated by the US Naval Observatory’s MICA computer program. Check local sources for sunrise and sunset times.
Venus as an Evening Star
Venus at Greatest Brilliancy
During September, Venus reaches its maximum brightness as it overtakes Earth. Through September 30, it loses 43 minutes of setting time compared to sunset.
Venus passed Spica, Virgo’s brightest star four nights ago. Tonight, the Evening Star shines brightly through the colorful hues of evening twilight, less than 10° above the west-northwest horizon.
Venus’ visibility suffers from the shallow angle the ecliptic – the solar system’s plane – makes with the western horizon after sunset at this season. While it is far from the sun which still sets north of west, the brilliant planet is low in the west-southwest.
As the planet overtakes Earth, it reaches its greatest brilliancy on September 23. While it is low in the west-southwest during bright evening twilight, it is easy to locate. If the sky is exceptionally clear on the evenings around that date, its brightness is easily noted.
Greatest Illuminated Extent
On the way to greatest brilliancy, the planet grows in size through a telescope and the evening crescent thins. On September 19, the Venus crescent covers the largest area of the sky, an event known as the greatest illuminated extent.
Because Venus’ distance varies, it appears larger when near Earth, displaying a crescent phase compared to a gibbous when farther away near superior conjunction.
Venus, Evening Moon
Look for the moon passing through on September 13 and 14:
- September 13: At 30 minutes after sunset, brilliant Venus is over 5° above the west-southwest horizon. Find a clear horizon in that direction. The crescent moon, 9% illuminated, is 5.9° to Venus lower right. Spica might be visible 8.6° to Venus’ right and 3.8° to the lunar crescent’s upper right. The moon is just above the horizon. The three celestial bodies fit into a circle 8.6° in diameter, but not in the same binocular field.
- September 14: At the same time interval as last night. Venus is again about 5° above the west-southwest horizon, 6.0° to the lunar crescent’s, 16% illuminated, lower right. If Spica is visible, the three celestial wonders span 15.3°. The star is a challenging sight at this level of evening twilight.
Find a clear view looking west-southwest and watch Venus slowly sink into evening twilight. Look for it early from the shallow angle the ecliptic makes with the western horizon.
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