Stargazing just might be the ultimate social distancing activity. Luckily, there are quite a few celestial events happening this year, one of which takes place at the end of April. That’s when the beautiful planet Venus will shine its brightest, and Montanans could have a front-row seat to the display.
Montana is an enormous but sparsely populated state, which leaves us with a night sky that is second to none.
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr Several annual meteor showers are always visible from the Treasure State, and we can almost always see Venus when it’s in this particular position.
Venus is much brighter than any other planet or star, so it can typically be spotted by amateur skywatchers and professional astronomers alike.
Roman Vanur / Flickr With a telescope, you can often see the planet’s changing phases, like the moon.
On April 27, Venus reaches a magnitude of -4.7, the brightest it will become this year
AstroImages / Flickr This means the planet will shine brighter than Sirius, the brightest known star in the sky.
The planet will rise in the west after sunset during the entire month of April, and the illuminated part will be most prominent around 9 p.m. Eastern.
Rob Glover / Flickr Of course, this is only 7 p.m. in Montana, so the sky won’t be pitch black yet. But Venus will be prominent all night long, into the wee hours of April 28th.
The key to enjoying this celestial event is to find a stretch of wide-open sky that’s free from light pollution.
European Southern Observatory / Flickr In Montana, that’s rarely a challenge. A telescope will also help you get a better look, although you’ll be able to see it with the naked eye.
In these strange times, it’s comforting to know that nature is never canceled and we can always look at the night sky.
Stephen Rahn / Flickr April has been declared the “Month of Venus” - and this is the perfect way to end it.
Do you ever notice Venus when you’re out stargazing? If not, this is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted.
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr
Several annual meteor showers are always visible from the Treasure State, and we can almost always see Venus when it’s in this particular position.
Roman Vanur / Flickr
With a telescope, you can often see the planet’s changing phases, like the moon.
AstroImages / Flickr
This means the planet will shine brighter than Sirius, the brightest known star in the sky.
Rob Glover / Flickr
Of course, this is only 7 p.m. in Montana, so the sky won’t be pitch black yet. But Venus will be prominent all night long, into the wee hours of April 28th.
European Southern Observatory / Flickr
In Montana, that’s rarely a challenge. A telescope will also help you get a better look, although you’ll be able to see it with the naked eye.
Stephen Rahn / Flickr
April has been declared the “Month of Venus” - and this is the perfect way to end it.
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