Crescent Moon Meets Venus in Friday Evening Twilight
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- The crescent moon will meet Venus in Friday evening twilight in what the source calls one of the prettiest naked-eye sights of the month, visible so long as clouds cooperate
- Venus will shine as a brilliant white point low above the western horizon, with the moon just three days past new and showing just under 16% of its visible surface illuminated
- The pairing will sit low on the horizon, meaning buildings, trees, or hills can easily obstruct the view, and the scene will not last long before the two set
- Earthshine may reveal the moon's un-illuminated side as a ghostly glow of reflected light from Earth as the twilight sky darkens
- Southern hemisphere observers can also catch the conjunction by looking west as soon as the sun has set
Why it matters: This Friday conjunction gives casual skywatchers a no-equipment celestial sight, but its beauty depends on a clear, unobstructed western horizon and quick viewing — the pair sets fast. The bonus is earthshine: if twilight cooperates, the moon's dark side may glow with reflected Earth-light, elevating the view from pretty to unforgettable.
