This weekend offers a dazzling celestial treat for skywatchers: Venus, the brightest planet in the sky, reaches its greatest western elongation from the Sun on June 1, 2025. This event marks the best time to view the planet Venus in the morning sky, as it appears highest above the horizon before sunrise, gleaming like a cosmic beacon. If you’ve never seen Venus at its best, this is your moment.
Let’s explore what this event means, how to view it, and why Venus continues to fascinate astronomers and casual observers alike.
What Is Greatest Elongation?
Greatest elongation occurs when an inner planet (Mercury or Venus) appears farthest from the Sun in Earth’s sky. For Venus, there are two types: greatest eastern elongation when it appears in the evening sky after sunset, and greatest western elongation, when it rises before the Sun in the morning sky.
On June 1, 2025 at 4:00 AM UTC (which is 11:00 PM Central Time on May 31), Venus reaches greatest western elongation, placing it 46 degrees west of the Sun in the sky. This means it will shine brilliantly above the eastern horizon just before dawn—earning it the name “morning star.”
Why This Event Matters
Venus is always beautiful to behold, but during greatest elongation, the planet reaches peak visibility in the pre-dawn sky. Since it’s as far from the Sun as it will get during this appearance, it rises well before sunrise, giving you plenty of time to observe it in the dark sky. Even light pollution doesn’t dim its stunning brilliance—Venus at magnitude -4.4 outshines every star and most celestial bodies except the Moon.
When to Watch: Key Times and Sky Conditions
- Date of Greatest Elongation: June 1, 2025 (UTC)
- Best Viewing for North America: Morning of June 1, just before dawn
- Time: Look between 4:00 and 5:30 AM local time, depending on your latitude
- Direction: Low in the eastern sky, near the Sunrise point
- Sky Conditions: Look while the sky is still dark or just beginning to lighten—Venus will be unmistakably bright
If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, especially locations like the central and southern United States, the viewing conditions will be excellent. Venus will rise higher above the horizon than it will for southern observers, giving you a clearer, longer look.
Where to Look: The Morning Star Above the Eastern Horizon
Find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon—away from buildings or trees. You’ll want to be out early enough to catch Venus before the sky gets too bright. Around 45 to 60 minutes before your local sunrise is ideal.
Venus will be high above the horizon, far from the Sun’s glow. You may also be able to spot the constellation Pisces, though Venus will likely outshine the surrounding stars.
Using a stargazing app can help you identify Venus and nearby constellations. Even without one, you can’t miss it—Venus will appear as a piercingly bright, white “star” that doesn’t twinkle.
Through a Telescope: A Crescent World
If you have a telescope, even a small one, this is a fantastic opportunity to observe Venus’s phase. Just like the Moon, Venus goes through phases as it orbits the Sun. At greatest western elongation, Venus appears in a third quarter phase, about 49% illuminated, and spans 23.92 arcseconds in diameter.
At this stage, Venus appears as a crisp half-circle—half-lit, half-dark—a beautiful sight through the eyepiece. As it continues along its orbit, it will grow smaller in the sky and more fully illuminated, until eventually disappearing in the glare of the Sun by October 2025.
What’s Happening Astronomically?
Venus reached inferior conjunction—passing between Earth and the Sun—in March 2025. After that, it began its swift journey into the morning sky, racing ahead of the Sun in our sky as it orbits the Sun more quickly than Earth does.
Now, at greatest elongation on June 1, it appears farthest from the Sun on our sky’s dome. This is when the Sun-Earth-Venus angle reaches its maximum separation before Venus begins drawing closer to the Sun again.
Venus will remain visible in the morning sky until October 2025, slowly drifting back toward the Sun before transitioning to an evening star.
Venus: Planet of Beauty and Mystery
Venus has long been a source of fascination for civilizations throughout history. Often mistaken for a star, it’s been dubbed the morning star and evening star across cultures. The ancient Greeks associated it with the goddess Aphrodite. The Romans named it after Venus, their goddess of love and beauty.
The Sun’s light reflects off of Venus’s rich atmosphere, giving it a beauful shiny glow. But beneath that beautiful exterior lies a blazingly hot environment that would not support human life.
Fast Facts About Venus:
- Distance from Earth: ~38 million miles (closest approach)
- Diameter: 7,520 miles (95% the size of Earth)
- Surface Temperature: ~867°F (464°C)
- Atmosphere: Thick with carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds
- Day Length: One day on Venus (rotation) is 243 Earth days
- Year Length: Venus completes an orbit every 225 Earth days
Venus is sometimes called Earth’s twin, but that comparison ends at size. The planet’s thick atmosphere creates a runaway greenhouse effect, making it the hottest planet in the solar system. It even rotates backward—sunrises happen in the west and set in the east!
Viewing Tips and Fun Additions
Here are some extra ways to make the most of this viewing opportunity:
1. Use Binoculars
Even simple binoculars will make Venus appear more dazzling. While they won’t show the phase, they can help you distinguish Venus more clearly from the sky glow.
2. Take a Photo
A DSLR or even a good smartphone with a long exposure mode can capture Venus. Try to include the horizon for dramatic effect.
3. Pair with Other Planets
Depending on your location and date, Venus might be near the crescent Moon or other bright planets like the red planet, Mars.
4. Look for Constellations
Venus will be in the vicinity of Pisces, a faint constellation that can be seen from dark-sky locations. It’s a good time to brush up on your stargazing skills!
A Morning for the Soul
There’s something uniquely peaceful about watching the sky before sunrise. The world is quiet, the stars still shimmer, and Venus reigns above the eastern horizon like a silent guardian. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just someone who appreciates beauty, catching Venus at greatest elongation is an inspiring experience.
The Morning Star’s Journey
Here’s a quick timeline of Venus’s current appearance:
- March 2025 – Inferior conjunction (passed between Earth and Sun)
- April–May 2025 – Rapid rise into the morning sky
- June 1, 2025 – Greatest western elongation (46° from Sun)
- June–October 2025 – Gradually fades, drawing closer to the Sun again
- October 2025 – Disappears from morning sky, begins transition to evening sky
What Does Venus Teach Us?
From mythology to modern science, Venus continues to challenge and enlighten us. It teaches us how the same forces of nature that shape beauty can also create hostility. Its thick clouds and volcanic terrain reveal the dangers of greenhouse gases. Yet from Earth, it’s a radiant jewel—a beacon of wonder.
Greatest elongation events like this one invite us to connect with the cosmos. They remind us that our solar system is in motion, that light from the planets takes minutes to reach us, and that even our closest neighbors are worlds unto themselves.
Final Thoughts
The morning of June 1, 2025, is your chance to witness Venus in its full morning glory. No telescope is required—just an early alarm and a clear view of the eastern horizon.
Whether you’re an astronomer, a photographer, or someone simply craving a little quiet beauty before the bustle of the day begins, this is one skywatching moment not to miss.
Set your alarm. Brew some coffee. And step outside to greet the morning star.
Please be advised that, despite our best efforts, International Star Registry – Name a star provides astronomical and astrological content for entertainment purposes. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information given.