Venus and the Crescent Moon to Create a Stunning Skywatching Event Tonight

Stargazers are in for a spectacular treat this weekend as Venus—often called the “Evening Star”—will appear right next to a delicate crescent moon in the night sky. This rare alignment will be especially visible across the Western Hemisphere, creating a mesmerizing three-dimensional illusion where the moon looks like a softly glowing orb next to the dazzling brightness of Venus.

This celestial “snuggle” between the two brightest objects in the night sky will be visible for about three hours after sunset on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Even casual observers who don’t typically look up at the night sky are likely to be drawn to this striking sight.

The event marks the last close evening pairing between Venus and the Moon for this cycle, as Venus will gradually descend into the sunset glow throughout March, disappearing from the evening sky until spring of 2026.

How and When to See the Venus-Moon Conjunction

For skywatchers in the Americas, the best time to observe the conjunction will be just after sunset on Saturday, February 1. The exact closest approach between the two celestial objects will occur at different times depending on your location:

• Eastern Time (ET): 7:25 PM
• Central Time (CT): 6:25 PM
• Mountain Time (MT): 5:25 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 4:35 PM

During this time, Venus will appear about 2.5 degrees to the upper right of the Moon—a stunningly close distance in astronomical terms. The moon itself will be just 15% illuminated, adding to the beauty of this celestial display.

For those in Europe, South America, and Australia, Venus will be positioned slightly differently in relation to the Moon due to parallax effects and the Moon’s rapid movement across the sky.

Best Ways to Observe the Venus-Moon Pairing

Want to make the most of this spectacular skywatching event? Here are some tips:

• Find a Dark Location – Get away from city lights to enjoy the full brilliance of the night sky.
• Use Binoculars or a Telescope – While the event is visible to the naked eye, using binoculars or a small telescope will let you see Venus as a crescent and capture the Moon’s craters in stunning detail.
• Look to the Western Sky – The celestial pair will appear in the western part of the sky, gradually sinking toward the horizon.
• Photograph the Event – Use a tripod and a long-exposure setting to capture both the Moon’s glow and Venus’s brilliance in a single shot.

The Science Behind the Spectacle: Why This Happens

The Moon and Venus appear close together due to their positions in the sky, but in reality, they are millions of miles apart. Venus is currently approaching Earth and is at its greatest brilliance, making it one of the most eye-catching objects in the sky.

At the same time, the crescent Moon is reflecting sunlight from Earth, creating a phenomenon known as Earthshine—where the darkened portion of the Moon faintly glows due to light bouncing off our planet. This creates a ghostly, ethereal effect, making the Venus-Moon pairing even more striking.

Leonardo da Vinci was one of the first to recognize Earthshine, describing it as “the old Moon in the young Moon’s arms.” The effect will be particularly visible during this conjunction, adding another layer of beauty to the event.

Key Facts About the Venus-Moon Conjunction

Event	Details
Date	Saturday, February 1, 2025
Best Viewing Time	Just after sunset for about three hours
Closest Approach	7:25 PM ET / 6:25 PM CT / 5:25 PM MT / 4:35 PM PT
Visibility	Western Hemisphere (best); also visible worldwide
Moon’s Illumination	15% illuminated, with visible Earthshine
Venus’s Position	2.5° to the upper right of the Moon

Can You See Venus in the Daytime?

If you’re in the Pacific Time Zone, the closest approach between Venus and the Moon will actually occur about an hour before sunset. This creates a rare opportunity to spot Venus during daylight hours.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Face southwest about an hour before sunset and locate the crescent Moon.
2. Look just off to the right of the Moon—Venus will appear as a tiny white speck against the blue sky.
3. Use binoculars if you don’t see it right away—once spotted, you may be able to see it with the naked eye.

Why This Will Be the Last Close Venus-Moon Pairing for a While

This marks the final close evening conjunction of Venus and the Moon for this cycle. By March 1, Venus and the Moon will be three times farther apart in the sky, and Venus will begin rapidly descending into the sunset glow.

By late March, Venus will disappear from the evening sky entirely and won’t be visible again until spring of 2026, when it will reappear in the morning sky.

That makes this weekend’s event your last chance for two years to see these two celestial objects so closely aligned in the evening sky.