Brilliant Venus in Volcanic Sunset 5.34-6.18 pm.
Clear sky on July 8th, the day after Venus reached greatest brilliance (https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/how-to-see-venus-in-the-daytime/), enabled the bright planet to be observed before, during and after another beautiful volcanic sunset display near Transmitter Hill to the WNW of Mutare. Although difficult to see at first above the glare from the early bright twilight arch produced by low level stratospheric volcanic aerosols, Venus became clearly visible as this receded and gave way to the fainter more widespead late volcanic sunset glow from diffuse higher level aerosols. As this faded Mars, Regulus and other bright stars from the Leo Constellation appeared close by.

Tripod-mounted Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40

Compilation of montage of 8 pictures taken between 5.34 and 6.18 pm.