Venus will dazzle in the southwest sky after sunset in early 2025, earning its “evening star” nickname. This phenomenon occurs when Venus gets close to Earth and happens once every 19 months.
As seen from Earth, Venus doesn’t cross the night sky like other planets. Instead, it’s visible near sunrise and sunset, moving between being a “morning star” and an “evening star.” The planet orbits the sun faster than Earth, making it always appear close to the sun in our sky.
Venus will reach its greatest elongation east after sunset on January 10, 2025, and then undergo a rare event called dichotomy. This occurs when Venus appears half-lit by the sun as seen from Earth. The planet will get closer to us, appearing to shrink to a crescent shape.
By February 19, 2025, Venus will be shining at a brilliant magnitude of -4.9 and appear to grow in size with a telescope. However, after its dichotomy and performance as a “brilliant evening star,” the planet will move into the sun’s glare and emerge again as the “morning star.”
Key dates for Venus in 2025 include:
* January 3-10: Crescent moon and Venus after sunset
* January 12: Venus at dichotomy (a half-moon shape)
* February 16: Venus at its brightest in the evening sky
* March 22: Venus at inferior conjunction (between Earth and the sun)
* April 22: Venus at its brightest in the morning sky
To catch Venus as the “evening star” in 2025, plan your viewing for these specific dates. Don’t forget to download Space.com’s app for accurate asteroid positions and celestial events.
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/year-of-venus-how-to-see-the-evening-star-at-its-best-in-2025