The Sky Today on Friday, October 2: Venus stands still
On October 2, the planet Venus reaches a stationary point in its orbit, marking the end of its prograde motion and the beginning of retrograde. Observers can spot Venus and Mercury in the western sky shortly after sunset.
Why it matters
This astronomical event provides a specific window for amateur astronomers to observe planetary motion and identify Mercury, which is typically difficult to spot.
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The brilliant planet Venus stands stationary against the background stars of Virgo at 10 A.M. EDT. Together with Mercury, Venus is visible for a short time in the western sky after sunset, but you’ll want a clear horizon to make sure you catch them.
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