Venus is sinking lower into the sunset this September, but the brilliant Evening Star won't be gone for long.
(Image credit: Weiquan Lin via Getty Images)
Soon, the sky's most glamorous evening performer will take its leave.Since late March, Venus has been the unmistakable "Evening Star," gleaming shortly after sunset and stealing attention from nearly everything else in the twilight. In June, it helped stage a striking three-planet lineup after sundown, outshining both Jupiter and Mercury.Now the curtain is beginning to fall: Venus is sinking night by night and will trade its evening role for a morning one before October is over.A familiar dance around the sunVenus moves to a remarkably regular beat. Our nearest planetary neighbor circles the sun in an almost perfect path, completing 13 orbits in 8 Earth years. From Earth, that rhythm makes Venus appear to trace five great loops across the sky in the same span. It is a long cycle noticed by skywatchers — and important to the ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations — and it gives each Venus year its own recognizable personality. In 2026, the pattern closely echoes 2018, differing by only about two days.Key dates this monthVenus is about to blaze at peak brilliance, but this farewell performance comes with a challenge. All month long, the planet will slide lower in the southwest after sunset, shortening the window for a good view. If the horizon is clear and the weather cooperates, these are the evenings to circle on your skywatching calendar.Sept. 7: On Labor Day, Venus sets about 1¼ hours after sunset.Sept. 14: Look low in the west-southwest 30 to 45 minutes after sunset, when a waxing crescent moon appears around 5½ degrees to the left of Venus.Sept. 18: Venus reaches greatest brilliancy, shining at a dazzling magnitude of -4.8 near the horizon.Late September: The planet slips quickly from view, setting just 35 minutes after sundown by month's end.
