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illuminated in sunlight. We're not seeing much of this planet's day side now because it so recently passed between us and the sun on June 5-6, 2012, creating a spectacular transit of Venus that millions around the world viewed.
• Venus is headed for greatest brilliancy on July 12. Believe it or not, Venus doesn't shine at its brightest when it's at full phase - like the full moon does. Rather, Venus beams most brilliantly when it's a crescent - about 25% illuminated in sunlight and 75% covered over in its own shadow. Ever since Venus entered the morning sky on June 6, Venus was closer to Earth than it is at present. But its crescent was too thin for Venus to exhibit maximum brightness. Venus' illuminated portion will cover over the greatest area of sky on July 12. Astronomers call this a greatest illuminated extent, or greatest brilliancy, of Venus.
• After this coming week, Venus' phase will continue to increase. Yet Venus distance from Earth is also increasing. So the planet will dim slightly, while remaining the brightest starlike object in Earth's sky.
• Venus is always the most brilliant celestial object in the sky after the sun and the moon. Look for this lighthouse of a planet to dominate in your morning sky for the rest of 2012.
• Bottom line: The two brightest objects in the predawn sky are Venus and Jupiter. The star Aldebaran is near Venus now. Venus is nearly at its greatest brilliancy in the morning sky. Venus and Aldebaran will stay close enough together on the sky's dome to occupy the same binocular field of view for all of the coming week!
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