Venus at Dusk

When & where to look

Venus blazes at magnitude -4.4 — bright enough to cast a shadow under dark skies — about 18° above the western horizon as twilight deepens. It holds position for over an hour after sunset before following the sun below the horizon.

Field notes

• 01Find an unobstructed western view; rooftops and open fields work well.
• 02Binoculars held steady will show Venus as a tiny gibbous disc.
• 03It is often mistaken for an approaching aircraft — it never moves.