On the evening of Thursday, May 21, the waxing crescent Moon will pass the blazingly bright planet Venus. Look to the western sky after sunset to see this pair glittering in the twilight. Keep your eye on the Moon for the next couple of nights, as it will pass the very bright planet Jupiter on the evening of Saturday, May 23.
These conjunctions of the Moon with the bright planets happen every month! Venus and Jupiter are the brightest objects in the sky, after the Sun and Moon. Yet for some reason, most people are unaware that these bright planets are easy to see, especially during their monthly alignments with the Moon.
(Please note: the scale shown in the picture is exaggerated. The Moon will pass to the south of Venus by 8 degrees (16 lunar diameters) and will miss Jupiter by 5 degrees (10 lunar diameters). But the Moon and planets will still present a beautiful sight on these nights!)
For more information about observing the planets and their cycles, check out our Signs & Seasons curriculum. Click the link above to our online store.
