All articles tagged with #crescent moon
Comets Lemmon and SWAN R2 are currently visible in the night sky, with their last peak viewing weekend occurring from October 24-26, coinciding with a slim crescent moon, offering a rare and spectacular celestial display before they fade from view.
On September 24, a fleeting view of the crescent moon and Mars will be visible above the western horizon shortly after sunset, with both disappearing within an hour. The event offers a rare opportunity to observe the red planet's distinctive hue and the moon's Earthshine glow, ideal for skywatchers with a clear view of the horizon.
On August 27, the slender crescent moon will be visible near the bright star Spica in the western sky at sunset, offering a brief opportunity for skywatchers to observe this celestial pairing before they set below the horizon, with additional details on lunar features and nearby planets for enthusiasts.
On August 26, observers can see Mars and a thin crescent moon close together in the western sky at sunset, with the moon less than 6 degrees to the lower left of Mars, and the constellation Virgo nearby. Using binoculars, viewers can also spot lunar features like Mare Crisium and Mare Fecunditatis, along with stars Spica and Porrima. The scene offers a great opportunity for skywatching and astrophotography before the moon moves away from Mars the following night.
Jupiter will be visible near a very thin crescent moon on May 27-28, 2025, offering a rare skywatching opportunity shortly after the new moon phase, with the best viewing conditions occurring in the early evening just after sunset.
On April 10, 2024, skywatchers can witness Jupiter near a crescent moon in the evening sky, while Mars and Saturn will be visible in the early morning hours. The two planets will appear close to each other, with Jupiter leaving the evening sky soon. Additionally, the phenomenon known as "Earthshine" can be observed on the moon, and comet 12P/Pons-Brooks may also be visible. Jupiter will gradually become harder to see in the evening sky before transitioning into the morning sky in June.
The start date of Ramadan varies from country to country due to the sighting of the new moon by local Islamic authorities, marking the beginning of the ninth month in the traditional Hijri calendar. Factors such as observation methods and weather conditions contribute to the variation, leading to countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman beginning Ramadan about 24 hours apart. In Southeast Asia, several countries will observe Ramadan from Tuesday, providing extra preparation time for millions of Muslims in the region.
This week's night sky offers stargazers the chance to witness a series of celestial events, including the appearance of a crescent moon alongside Jupiter. The moon will display Earthshine, sunlight reflected from Earth onto its surface, and will grow in size as the week progresses. Additionally, the First Quarter Moon and the Pleiades open cluster will be visible on Friday. Stargazers can also use NASA's new app to spot the International Space Station and learn about the moon's libration.
Venus and the crescent Moon created a dazzling sight in the early morning sky over the D.C. region on November 9, 2023, visible during the predawn hours. Skywatchers on the East Coast were treated to the waning crescent Moon and Venus at their closest, with the full globe of the moon visible against the gray hue of the sky.
This week's night sky offers several celestial highlights, including a slim crescent moon, the Orionid meteor shower caused by Halley's comet, and the opportunity to see the Magellanic Clouds in the southern hemisphere. Stargazers can spot the crescent moon approaching Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, and witness "Earthshine" on the moon. The Orionid meteor shower will peak on Saturday, with the potential to see 10-20 shooting stars per hour. Additionally, the dwarf planet Eris reaches opposition, and the Magellanic Clouds provide a stunning sight for those in the southern hemisphere.
A crescent moon and the bright planet Venus will be visible in the eastern sky on Tuesday, October 10, appearing just 5 degrees from each other. The moon will be between the two brightest stars in the constellation Leo, Algieba and Regulus. On Wednesday and Thursday, the crescent moon will become slimmer as it approaches its new-moon phase, when it will eclipse the sun on Saturday, October 14.
This week, stargazers in the northern hemisphere can enjoy the New Moon, which provides optimal conditions for stargazing. Additionally, the annual Perseids meteor shower has begun and will peak on August 12-13, offering the chance to see between 100 and 150 shooting stars. There are also opportunities to observe a young crescent moon near Mercury, Venus, Mars, and other planets throughout the week. However, it is important to take precautions when observing the sun, as it is currently at its most active phase.
The "da Vinci glow" or "Earthshine" is a spooky phenomenon that occurs when the moon is a thin crescent in the sky, visible during the first and last days of the moon's orbit around Earth. It is the faint image of the full moon visible next to the portion of the moon lit by the sun. The phenomenon is called the "da Vinci glow" because Leonardo da Vinci figured out that sunlight reflected from Earth was responsible for the image. The da Vinci glow is best seen a few days before and after a new moon, right after sunset or before sunrise.
The "Da Vinci glow" or "Earthshine" phenomenon will be visible on the dark limbs of the moon on successive days this week and again next weekend. The effect is a faint, ghostly glow on the shadowed part of the moon's Earth-facing side, caused by sunlight reflected first by Earth onto the lunar surface, then again into the eyes of the viewer. The best time to see it in 2023 is in the few days before and after the new moon on April 20 and May 19.
Venus, the closest planet to Earth, has been getting higher into the post-sunset night sky since January, becoming ever-brighter and more majestic. It is now the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. However, its dazzling performance as the bright “Evening Star” begins to unravel this month. After reaching its highest altitude in the evening sky on April 28, during May, Venus will gradually sink back into the Sun’s glare. To see Venus at its brilliant best this month, all you have to do is look to the northwest after sunset.