Beautiful Venus grabs the early-evening attention during February 2025, a sparkling jewel visible soon after the Sun has set, or indeed before, if you know where to look.
Once the Sun sets and twilight begins to darken, under clear skies Venus really pops into view.
Observing Venus
At the start of February, it’s possible to see it shining at mag. –4.5 against a totally dark sky.
On 1 February, Venus sets 4 hours and 24 minutes after the Sun.
A 13%-lit waxing crescent Moon sits 3.3° to the south of Venus at 20:00 UT. Through the eyepiece, Venus appears 32 arcseconds across as a beautiful 37%-lit crescent.
As February progresses, Venus remains well placed, only slowly degrading as it moves back towards the Sun at the end of the month.
On 15 February 2025, for example, Venus sets 4 hours after sunset and retains its intense brightness at mag. –4.5.
An eyepiece view of the planet on this date will show it larger at 39 arcseconds across. Its phase will have decreased to 26%.
By 28 February, things will have started to change thanks to Venus moving slowly back towards the Sun.
An eyepiece view shows it now appears 48 arcseconds across as a slender crescent just 14% lit.
The expanding pre-spring twilight makes its presence known at the end of the month though, the planet setting 3 hours and 15 minutes after sunset but now getting low as true darkness falls.
Tempting though it is to get a telescopic view of Venus when it’s in a dark sky, the best views are likely to be when the sky is still bright, when it’s higher in the sky, in a more stable atmosphere.
The brighter sky will also help reduce the planet’s intense glare.
Venus February 2025 quick facts
- Best time to see: 1 February, 1 hour after sunset
- Altitude: 28°
- Location: Pisces
- Direction: Southwest
- Features: Phase, subtle atmospheric markings
- Recommended equipment: 75mm scope or larger
If you observe or photograph Venus in February 2025, share your experiences and images with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com
