Venus and Crescent Moon Create Stunning Celestial Display Tonight

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Skywatchers across the Western Hemisphere are in for a celestial treat tonight as Venus and a crescent moon pair up in a dazzling display. The two brightest objects in the night sky will appear close together, creating a striking visual that will dominate the early evening hours.

Venus, currently at its greatest brilliance for this apparition, will shine as a distinct crescent shape, growing larger as it approaches Earth. On Feb. 14, its disk will be 27% illuminated, a phase astronomers call the “greatest illuminated extent.” Tonight, however, the planet will appear to snuggle up to a 15% illuminated crescent moon, offering a breathtaking view for about three hours after sunset.

“This is the last in the current series of close evening get-togethers between the two,” said Joe Rao, Space.com‘s skywatching columnist. “By March, Venus will slide rapidly into the sunset glow and disappear from our evening sky until 2026.”

The closest approach between the moon and Venus will occur at 7:25 p.m. Eastern Time, with the pair appearing just 2.5 degrees apart. Observers in the Central Time Zone will see the conjunction during evening twilight, while those in the Pacific Time Zone can attempt to spot Venus during daylight hours by locating the moon and looking slightly to its right.

From Europe, Venus will appear about 4.5 degrees above the moon at sunset, while South Americans will see the planet almost directly below the moon. Australian viewers will witness the moon positioned well to the lower left of Venus on Feb. 1 and to its upper right the following evening.

This celestial event is made even more intriguing by the phenomenon of earthshine, where the darkened portion of the crescent moon glows faintly due to sunlight reflecting off Earth. Leonardo da Vinci first explained this effect in the early 16th century, attributing it to sunlight bouncing off Earth’s oceans. While modern science has refined this explanation, the ghostly glow remains a captivating sight.

For those eager to capture the moment, binoculars or a small telescope will enhance the view. As Rao noted, “The moon is 11 times brighter than Venus, but because its light is not concentrated into a point, many observers find this hard to believe.”

Tonight’s conjunction marks a final opportunity to witness this dynamic duo before Venus fades from the evening sky, making it a must-see event for both seasoned skywatchers and casual observers alike.