What’s that bright star in the west after sunset? If you’ve been outside shortly after sunset this month, it’s likely that you’ve noticed one, and possibly two, bright points of light in the sky. Are they UFOs? The North Star or the Dog Star?
No—it’s Venus and Jupiter, the closest and the largest planets, respectively, which are both now close to their best.
However, which one you’re seeing 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
That’s Venus, which has global clouds of sulfuric acid that make it highly reflective, which is one reason why it’s shining brilliantly bright in twilight. The other reason is that it’s almost as close to Earth as it ever gets.
One consequence of its current travel closer to Earth is that, on Jan. 10, Venus reached its greatest elongation east from the sun, shining brilliantly in the southwest sky after sunset. Known as the “Evening Star” in this apparition, Venus is at its farthest angular distance from the sun during this phase, which is why you’ve noticed it. It’s also because it’s close to its brightest, which will peak on Feb. 16. However, on Jan. 12, Venus reaches dichotomy, appearing half-lit by the sun, akin to a quarter moon.
Due to its fast orbit and proximity to Earth, Venus will brighten and grow in apparent size as it moves closer, transforming into a slender crescent by February. Grab a pair of binoculars or a telescope, and you’ll see a planet as a crescent—a beautiful sight.
Venus is now 0.7 Earth-sun distances from us in the constellation Aquarius and is blazing away at -4.3 magnitude.
A Bright Light High In The East And South That Shines All Night
That’s Jupiter. Although it reached its annual opposition on Dec. 7, the solar system’s largest planet is still prominent in the east after dark. Although it’s not as bright as Venus, that planet sinks into the horizon a few hours after sunset, so if you’re outside late at night and see a bright “star,” it’s probably Jupiter. Visible in the east after sunset, Jupiter crosses the sky and sinks in the west before dawn. The next opposition of Jupiter will happen on Jan. 10, 2026.
Jupiter is now 4.2 Earth-sun distances from us, in the constellation Taurus, and is shining at -2.5 magnitude.
A Golden Light In The East That Rises Later
That’s Mars. The red planet’s golden light becomes prominent beneath Jupiter a few hours after sunset, though it’s rising this week just as the sun sets. That’s because it’s at its once-every-789-day opposition when Earth is precisely positioned between it and the sun. Opposition is on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, and will next occur on Feb. 19, 2027. It sees the planet at its closest to Earth, so its brightest, with its disk 100% illuminated by the sun. It’s, therefore, the very best time to look at it, though to appreciate its color, you’ll need a small telescope.
Mars is now 0.6 Earth-sun distances from us in the constellation Cancer and is shining at -1.4 magnitude.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
