Starwatch: Venus to be joined by young crescent moon in night sky | Science
The bright beacon of the planet Venus is now unmistakable in the evening sky, appearing to the naked eye long before dusk has completely faded into night.
This week, the planet will be joined by a young crescent moon on the nights of April 18 and 19. The map shows the view westward from London on April 19 at 8:30 p.m., approximately 30 minutes after sunset.
No other stars will be visible yet but the Moon and Venus will be evident. The new moon will be particularly beautiful. At just 2.6 days old, only about 7.5% of its visible surface area will be illuminated.
For those who like a challenge, 24 hours earlier, the Moon will be under Venus and its surface even less illuminated. To have a chance of seeing the very young moon on April 18, a clear western horizon is essential.
Only begin your observations after sunset, as any direct glimpse of the sun could damage your eyesight. The incredibly thin crescent probably won’t be immediately visible, but it will appear and disappear as Earth’s atmospheric layers shift in the dying heat of the day.
From the southern hemisphere, the geometry is more favorable and will place the couple higher above the western horizon.
