For astronomy fans and those who love to marvel at the stars, this Sunday, July 9, is a golden opportunity to look up to the sky and catch a glimpse of a particularly bright point visible to the naked eye: the famous Shepherd's Star. This star, which sailors must follow to find their bearings, is also the planet Venus, one of the closest to Earth! If the weather 's on our side and there are no thunderstorms, we'll have the chance to observe its luminosity from the capital, starting at 10.30pm.
At magnitude 4.8, the planet will be visible as the sun sets, for almost an hour and a half. You won't want to miss it, because according to L'Internaute, the Shepherd's Star will set behind the horizon around midnight. Venus is close to the Earth, and itsatmosphere reflects the light very well, making it easy to observe with the naked eye or a simple telescope.
For a few minutes, Venus will resemble the Moon, with a recognizablecrescent shape. If you miss its peak brightness this Sunday, you'll still be able to see it throughout July, and into the second half of August, when it will be more visible in the early morning.
Astronomy: the best places to see shooting stars in Paris and the Île-de-France region
Numerous shooting star nights occur throughout the year. These stars can be admired if the weather allows it, in places where pollution is less. But where to find these rare pearls in Paris and Ile-de-France? [Read more]
Astronomy: the best places to see shooting stars in Paris and the Île-de-France region
