Starwatch: Venus will be unmistakably brilliant in the predawn sky this week
Venus will reach maximum western elongation from the sun on 31 May. Maximum elongation means that it appears as far from the sun as it can, making it the most easily visible. The fact that it is to the sun's west means that it is visible in the morning sky.
From the UK, Venus rises at about 03.15 BST, giving an observing window of about an hour from 03.30 BST. The sun rises at about 04.45 BST, and no observations should be undertaken once the sun is in the sky because permanent eye damage can occur from looking at its fiery surface.
Venus will be unmistakably brilliant in the predawn eastern sky, making it easy to observe even from urban locations so long as the view to the east is not blocked by buildings.
From the southern hemisphere, Venus will appear higher in the sky and so will be even easier to see.
Additionally, there is another planet in the sky that morning which will be visible to the naked eye. Rising in the south-eastern sky at about 02.30 BST from the UK, Saturn is much dimmer than Venus but will reveal itself as a steady, ochre-coloured point of light.
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