Exciting news for stargazers this Sunday, August 31! The brilliant planet Venus is gracing the early morning sky, hanging majestically near the enchanting Beehive Cluster (M44) in the constellation Cancer.

Both celestial wonders rise over two hours before the sun, reaching an impressive 20° in the eastern sky just an hour prior to dawn. Venus shines brightly at a striking magnitude of -3.9, a stunning beacon located just 1.4° southwest of the Beehive.

While the Beehive Cluster itself is visible to the naked eye at a magnitude of 3.1, spotting it during twilight can be tricky. For the best view, grab your binoculars or a telescope! A small scope with a wide field will allow you to see some of the cluster's numerous stars, and you might even catch Venus in the same field of view.

Through a telescope, Venus reveals a fascinating sight: a 12-inch-wide gibbous disk that is 84% illuminated. This glow comes from sunlight reflecting off its thick, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, an environment so dense it obscures the planet’s surface and creates a greenhouse effect that drives temperatures up to a scorching 870°F (465°C).

Essential Viewing Information

Don’t miss these key celestial events today:

- **Sunrise:** 6:27 A.M.

- **Sunset:** 7:33 P.M.

- **Moonrise:** 2:57 P.M.

- **Moonset:** 11:41 P.M.

- **Moon Phase:** Waxing gibbous (54% illuminated)

(All times listed are local for the area around 40° N, 90° W.)

So gear up and get ready for a stunning morning—Venus and the Beehive Cluster await!