Thursday evening (Sept. 9) will bring a lovely celestial display involving the two brightest objects in the nighttime sky.
The planet Venus, which has been languishing low in the dusk all summer, at last manages to stay above the west-southwest horizon as late as the end of evening twilight. About 45 minutes after sunset on Thursday, look toward the west-southwest horizon to see Venus hovering near to a waxing crescent moon; an eye-catching tableau in spite of the pair's low altitude.
Venus will likely catch your eye first; it will be shining less than 10 degrees above the horizon — less than the width of your clenched fist held at arm's length. Make sure that you have a clear and unobstructed view — no trees or buildings — toward the west-southwest. Now look off to the upper right of Venus and you'll also see the slender sliver of a waxing crescent moon. This eye-catching duo will quickly descend as the sky darkens, finally setting about 90 minutes after sunset beyond the west-southwest horizon.
And while you're admiring Venus and the moon in Thursday's twilight sky, don't overlook bluish star Spica, one of the brightest stars in the sky, in the constellation Virgo. Spica, Venus and the moon will form a nearly equilateral triangle, measuring about 4 degrees all around.
Spica will appear directly below Venus and the moon. The bright twilight backdrop might make Spica a bit difficult to see, so again I would suggest using binoculars initially to pick it up, then try for it with just your eyes alone.
And if clouds block your view of Sunday's celestial get together, another, much closer pairing-off — this time with the bright ruddy star Antares twinkling off to one side — will occur a month from now, on Oct. 8.
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