January’s long nights create ideal stargazing conditions, but this year’s skies are hosting a rare celestial event. This weekend, Venus will shine exceptionally bright, making it the star of the show.
To spot Venus, look towards the western horizon after sunset. It sets around 9:00 p.m. (ET and PT), so you don’t need to wait up late. As the brightest object in the night sky after the moon, Venus is unmistakable.
This weekend marks Venus’ greatest elongation, a point where it appears farthest from the sun in the sky’s dome. This phenomenon provides the best opportunity to observe inner planets like Venus without interference from the sun’s glare. According to experts, this alignment makes Venus shine brightly in the evening sky long after sunset.
Venus will be accompanied by other celestial highlights, including Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter is visible near the moon, while Saturn appears just above and to the left of Venus. The two planets will appear to draw closer together until January 17, when they’ll cross paths in the sky.
This month’s planetary lineup offers an extraordinary chance to view multiple planets. By the end of February, Mercury will join the parade, while Saturn will be obscured by the sun’s glare.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/venus-brightest-star-this-weekend-how-see-2012992