Watching the sky just after sunset, you may notice the brightest “star” gracing the western horizon. This celestial gem isn’t a star but Venus, the radiant second planet from the Sun, often referred to as the “Evening Star” or “Morning Star.”

Venus: Earth’s Twin with a Fiery Personality

Venus is the third brightest natural object in our sky, outshone only by the Sun and Moon. Its brilliance is due to its thick, reflective atmosphere, composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid that bounce sunlight efficiently. Similar in size and composition to Earth, Venus offers a dazzling display visible even to casual stargazers.

In 2025, Venus will delight observers with several key celestial events, showcasing its phases, elongations, and a close pairing with the Moon.

Key Dates for Venus in 2025

• February 16: Venus at its greatest brightness, shining more than twice as brightly as at its dimmest moment this year.
• February 28 – March 1: A waxing crescent Moon joins Venus and Mercury in the evening sky. Look for a stunning alignment low on the western horizon after sunset. Learn more about capturing this view here.
• March 22: Venus reaches inferior solar conjunction, transitioning to the morning sky.
• May 31: Venus at its greatest elongation, appearing farthest from the Sun and highest in the evening sky, making it a prime time for viewing.
• August 31: The European Space Agency’s JUICE spacecraft makes a gravity-assist maneuver at Venus, setting the stage for its journey to Jupiter’s moons. learn more about this mission in our article about Jupiter

Understanding Venus’s Dance in the Sky

Venus’s movement is tied to its position as an interior planet, orbiting closer to the Sun than Earth. This means Venus never strays far from the Sun in our sky. It appears brightest when it transitions between the morning and evening skies, offering a unique opportunity to witness its phases—similar to the Moon’s.

In early 2025, Venus will dominate the evening sky, glowing brilliantly as it approaches inferior solar conjunction in March. Following this alignment, Venus will re-emerge in the morning sky, where it will ascend higher each day, reaching its peak visibility in June.

Observing the Phases of Venus

Just like the Moon, Venus goes through phases. During February, a telescope or binoculars will reveal Venus as a bright crescent. As it moves closer to Earth, the crescent will grow thinner and larger, reaching its peak size just before inferior solar conjunction. By mid-year, Venus will display a fuller phase as it transitions back into the morning sky.

Venus and the Moon: A Stunning Pairing

One of the most photogenic sights of 2025 will be the conjunctions of Venus with the Moon. These events highlight the beauty of Earthshine—when sunlight reflects off Earth and softly illuminates the dark portion of the Moon’s surface.

• February 28 – March 1: The crescent Moon aligns with Venus and Mercury in a breathtaking trio.
• June 22: A waning crescent Moon pairs with Venus in the morning twilight, providing a serene, ethereal sight.
• October 19: The crescent Moon joins Venus once more, this time as the planet shines brilliantly in the predawn sky.

Read more about these stunning pairings here.

Witness Venus with AstroTours

Venus’s brilliance makes it a highlight of any stargazing session. Whether it’s shining in the evening or morning sky, Venus’s phases and conjunctions offer spectacular views for observers of all levels.

To see Venus up close and learn more about its role in our cosmic neighborhood, book an AstroTour. With expert guidance and high-powered telescopes, we’ll bring the wonders of the “Evening Star” to life.

Stay tuned as we continue our celestial journey through the night sky!