That bright light after sunset? Venus is starting a summer show that's impossible to miss

"What's that bright light in the sky?" a friend messaged me the other evening. "Venus," I replied, without thinking about it. There was a pause, then: "How can you tell? And why is it suddenly so bright?" People always notice Venus by accident. When it's low on the horizon after dark, but just high enough and bright enough, it suddenly becomes obvious. It's why Venus has a reputation for triggering UFO reports whenever it becomes the "Evening Star." Nothing mysterious is happening — it's just the latest installment of a predictable eight-year pattern during which Venus orbits the sun 13 times and completes five apparent circuits around the sky, as seen from Earth. Each circuit includes one period when Venus appears east of the sun in the evening sky — becoming the Evening Star — and one period when it appears west of the sun before dawn as the Morning Star. So, Venus becomes the Evening Star for a few months about five times every eight years. As a mathematical pattern, it's exquisite and — in my opinion — quietly awesome — but it's virtually unknown. The good news, of course, is that after passing behind the sun earlier this year, the second planet from the sun is now rising to dominate as the "Evening Star" — and is set to be the centerpiece in a spectacular "summer of Venus." What's happening and when to look at Venus Though only partly illuminated, Venus appears brighter as it moves closer to Earth, growing into a striking crescent in the evening sky. …