Venus and the bright star Spica have been near each other for some days, and will remain so for a few days longer. We're now in the middle of the best time to see them near each other in the east before sunup.
Are you interested in the famous 8-year cycle of Venus? The charts in this post - from astronomer Guy Ottewell - illustrate it. Also, weigh in on whether you think we should describe Venus as she or it!
It'll be a great year for the annual Perseid meteor shower. Don't miss this preview by Guy Ottewell, which has the best charts you'll find anywhere online.
Astronomer, artist and poet Guy Ottewell's beloved Astronomical Calendar ended its yearly print run in 2016, its 43rd year. It was continued as a web page for 2017 to 2021 [https://www.universalworkshop.com/astronomical-calendar-any-year/] and is now continued as a full online book for 2022 [https://www.universalworkshop.com/astronomical-calendar-2022/]. Visit Guy’s website UniversalWorkshop.com or his blog at UniversalWorkshop.com/Guysblog. You can also find times for over 600 astronomical events, such as planets’ oppositions and conjunctions, the moon’s phases, eclipses, equinoxes and solstices, meteor showers, and more at https://www.universalworkshop.com/astronomical-calendar-any-year. Guy's stories and art are used here with permission. Thank you, Guy! The image shows Guy walking from the Carolina coast to the Blue Ridge mountains one spring (as depicted in Sky & Telescope magazine).