Starwatch: A Venus-spotting challenge with a beautiful reward
The Guardian provides a guide for amateur astronomers to spot Venus alongside a young crescent moon on a Monday evening. The article offers tips on timing and safety, noting the best viewing conditions for observers in the UK and the southern hemisphere.
Why it matters
It encourages public engagement with astronomy and provides accessible scientific information for hobbyists.
Illustration: The Guardian Illustration: The Guardian Starwatch Astronomy Starwatch: A Venus-spotting challenge with a beautiful reward The bright planet and the young crescent moon will make an attractive pairing on Monday evening
Prefer the Guardian on Google This week’s Starwatch is a challenge but a beautiful reward awaits for anyone who succeeds. The question is: how early in the evening can we find Venus?
On Monday, the bright planet has a close encounter with a young crescent moon. The moon will be just over three days old with about 14% of its visible surface illuminated. Unfortunately for UK observers, the two make their closest approach during daylight, passing within a moon’s width of one another around lunchtime.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in