Venus as the Evening Star: The Brightest Planet in the Sky

Venus is often called the Evening Star when it shines brightly just after sunset.
It’s the third-brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon.
Venus appears so bright because of its thick, reflective cloud cover.
Its brilliance has inspired myths and names across many cultures.
The planet alternates between being the Morning Star and the Evening Star.
Venus never strays far from the Sun, so it’s always visible near dusk or dawn.
Ancient astronomers once thought the Morning and Evening Star were two different objects.
At maximum elongation, Venus can stay visible for three hours after sunset.
Its phases, like the Moon’s, were first observed by Galileo, proving Venus orbits the Sun.
As the Evening Star, Venus is a beacon for stargazers, outshining every other planet.