Venus to blaze in the western twilight this Friday

Venus will reach peak brightness on Friday (Sept. 18), shining at magnitude −4.8 and visible low in the western sky about 30–60 minutes after sunset; it can be seen with the naked eye, though a telescope or binoculars enhances the view. For best results, seek dark-sky locations away from light pollution and minimize screen use. No special eyewear is needed for this planetary display.