Venus Reveals Rare 'Horns' During Twilight Alignment

On 29 October 2026, the Astronomy Picture of the Day showcased a striking view of Venus, seen almost directly between the Sun and Earth. This alignment, occurring roughly every year and a half, produces a glowing crescent that extends beyond 180 degrees. The bright arc’s tips, called the “horns,” result from Venus’s backlit atmosphere refracting and scattering sunlight. While the new Moon is dark, Venus’s illuminated halo can be seen with a small telescope or binoculars during twilight, and some observers report spotting it unaided. Ancient Babylonian astronomers first noted Venus’s brightness changes, and similar records appear in Maya texts. The image reminds viewers that Venus’s phases are a well‑documented planetary phenomenon and offers a rare, accessible target for amateur astronomers.