Venus Valentine
From Sky and Telescope
Fortuitously, the Planet of Love reaches greatest brilliancy on Valentine’s Day. At magnitude –4.9, it’s the equivalent of crushing a 1.4-day-old Moon into a point source. That’s bright! Bright enough to cast a shadow from a rural site on a moonless night. Count yourself lucky if you have snow cover. The added contrast makes it the perfect backdrop for shadow-spotting.
If you’re wondering what to give your love for Valentine’s Day, consider the nearest planet. In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, the fictional character George Bailey offers to lasso the Moon for his future wife Mary Hatch. Why not brandish your own imaginary lasso and “pull down” Venus for your sweetheart? (Don’t forget to have a box of specialty chocolates as a backup.)