An alignment across the southwestern sky on December 5, 2021, consisting of (L to R): Jupiter, Saturn … [+]
What is that bright star in the west after sunset? If you’ve been outside just after sunset this month, you’ve likely noticed one, and maybe two, bright points of light in the sky. Are they UFOs? North Star or Dog Star?
No – it’s Venus and Jupiter, the closest and largest planets respectively, who are now near their best.
However, which ones you see depends on when and where you’re looking. Here’s how to tell:
A bright light High in the southwest for a few hours after sunset
This is Venus, which has global clouds of sulfuric acid that make it highly reflective, which is one reason why it glows brilliantly at dusk. The other reason is that it is about as close to Earth as it has ever been.
One consequence of its current journey closer to Earth is that, on January 10, Venus reached its greatest elongation east of the sun, shining brightly in the southwestern sky after sunset. Known as the “Evening Star” in this show, Venus is at its furthest angular distance from the sun during this phase, which is why you’ve noticed it. This is also because it is close to its brightness, which will reach its peak on February 16. However, on January 12, Venus reaches dichotomy, appearing half-sunlit, similar to a quarter moon.
Because of its fast orbit and proximity to Earth, Venus will brighten and grow in size as it approaches, turning into a thin crescent moon by February. Take a pair of binoculars or a telescope and you will see a planet like a crescent moon – a beautiful sight.
Venus is now 0.7 Earth-Sun distance from us in the constellation of Aquarius and is shooting at magnitude -4.3.
On January 10, 2025, Venus reached its greatest elongation east of the sun and is shining … [+]
A bright light High in the East and South shining all night
This is Jupiter. Although it reached its annual opposition on December 7, the solar system’s largest planet is still visible in the east after dark. Although not as bright as Venus, that planet sinks to the horizon a few hours after sunset, so if you’re out late at night and see a bright “star,” it’s probably Jupiter. Visible in the east after sunset, Jupiter crosses the sky and sets in the west before dawn. The next opposition of Jupiter will occur on January 10, 2026.
Jupiter is now 4.2 Earth-Sun distance from us, in the constellation Taurus, and is shining at magnitude -2.5.
A golden light in the East that rises later
This is Mars. The red planet’s golden light becomes visible below Jupiter a few hours after sunset, although it is rising this week just as the sun sets. That’s because it’s once every 789 days the opposition when the Earth is located exactly between it and the sun. The opposition is on Sunday, January 12, 2025, and will then occur on February 19, 2027. It sees the planet at its closest approach to Earth, so at its brightest, with its disk 100% illuminated by the sun. Therefore, it is the best time to see it, although to appreciate its color, you will need a small telescope.
Mars is now 0.6 Earth-Sun distance from us in the constellation of Cancer and is shining at magnitude -1.4.
I wish you clear skies and open eyes.
