Venus peaks at magnitude –4.8 this evening, shining brighter than at any other time during this evening apparition.
However, the difference is essentially imperceptible — it appears only a thousandth of a magnitude brighter today than it did yesterday or will tomorrow.
Venus lies only 5° high in the southwest a half-hour after sundown, so you’ll have to look for it from a site with an unobstructed horizon.As the inner planet swings closer to a direct line between the Sun and Earth, its telescopic appearance changes quickly.
Tonight, Venus’ disk spans 40″ and appears about one-quarter lit.