Astronomers and skywatchers are being offered a brief but beautiful display this week as the planet Venus passes close to a young crescent moon on Monday evening. The pairing promises to be an attractive sight, but the timing of their nearest approach means viewers will need to be early and attentive to catch it at its best.
The moon will be just over three days old at the time of the encounter, with roughly 14% of its visible surface illuminated, creating a thin crescent. For observers in the UK the planets reach their closest apparent separation during daylight, when the two will pass within about the width of the moon of one another around lunchtime, making the exact moment of conjunction difficult to see without special equipment or very clear daytime skies.
That daylight timing means many people will have a better chance of appreciating the display after sunset, when Venus and the crescent will still be nearby in the sky. Venus, typically among the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and Moon, will stand out low toward the western horizon, and the crescent moon should be visible nearby once twilight deepens. Skywatchers are advised to scan the low western sky shortly after sunset for the best view.
While the closest approach technically occurs in daylight for UK viewers, the pairing will remain a rewarding target for those willing to make the attempt. Such conjunctions are reminders of the changing, dynamic arrangements of the solar system that can be followed with the unaided eye or modest optical aids, and they offer accessible opportunities for the public to connect with observational astronomy.