This evening and tomorrow, the 12th and 13th, brilliant planet Venus and fainter planet Mars appear low in the west-northwestern sky about 45 minutes after sunset. At less than half a degree of separation on both evenings, such proximity of the two planets will not be seen again until 2034. In deepening twilight, a graceful crescent moon, suspended above the pair, expands the aura of the event.
At the beginning of the week, sunset is at 8:27pm; twilight gathers half an hour later. By 9:10pm, planet Venus – appropriately named The Evening (and Morning) Star, for surpassing the radiance of all true stars in Earth’s skies – catches the eye as a steady, solitary point of light below the moon, close above the west-northwest horizon. Diminutive Mars comes into view as the sky darkens: to the left of Venus on the 12th and below the Evening Star on the 13th. At first glance, the planets may seem indistinguishable on account of their very close approach and Mars’ lesser magnitude in the presence of Venus’ overpowering light. In a clear, dark sky, the conjunction is visible with the naked eye. Binoculars add interest to the experience.
Prepare to arrive at a location with an unobstructed view to the west-northwest horizon. At a horizon view, unobstructed by hills or buildings, Mars and Venus set within minutes of 10pm, which translates to around 9:30pm at most locations.
