Venus and crescent moon to form ‘smiley face' in the sky this week
Earth's neighbouring planet Venus will be shining brightly in the morning sky this week - and might just flash us a grin with help from the moon.
All of this week, Venus will be visible shining brightly as a morning star in the Eastern sky around sunrise in the days up to April 25.
But on the morning of April 25, sky watchers might be able to spot a 'triple conjunction' which looks a tiny bit like a smiley face.
Venus is shining brightly all through this week just before and during sunrise.
The best viewing time is 5.00AM local time, according to the BBC's Sky at Night magazine.
Because the sun will not rise until just before 6am, Venus will shine out like a very bright star on the eastern horizon.
(It's worth being careful here, as the Sun will rise in the same area of the sky, and looking directly at it can damage eyesight.)
Through the week, Venus will rise in roughly the same place, while the Moon moves eastward and becomes thinner as it moves towards its new moon phase.
On the mornings of April 24th and April 25, the moon, Venus and Saturn will form a 'smiley face' in the sky (although you may have to bend your neck and squint a bit).
NASA says, 'Around April 24th and 25th, you'll find Venus, Saturn, and the crescent moon gathered low in the east as dawn warms up the morning sky. Those with a clear view to the horizon might also pick out Mercury looking bright, but very low in the sky.'
NEWSThe waning crescent Moon will align with Venus and Saturn on April 25, giving you a chance of seeing a smiley face in the sky. pic.twitter.com/04UkvA7HNC
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) April 21, 2025
The triple conjunction will appear in the Eastern sky on the morning of the 25th, with Venus and Saturn becoming the 'eyes' and the crescent moon becoming the 'mouth'.
It will be visible around the world for about an hour before sunrise.
NASA Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson said, "Venus is higher above the eastern horizon with Saturn lower, and a thin, crescent Moon a bit lower and a little farther north. The thin, crescent Moon looks like a smile.
'To some people, the triangle of bright objects may appear as a smiley face.
"Anyone wanting to try for a glimpse of the conjunction should find a clear eastern horizon from which to observe.'
Through the week, the moon will travel Eastward in the sky, getting closer to Venus.
With each passing day, the crescent of the moon will get thinner.
When it enters its 'new moon' phase, it will not be visible, but that will not happen until April 27.
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