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See A ‘Smiley Face' Above As A ‘Supermoon' Strikes: The Night Sky This Week
See A ‘Smiley Face' Above As A ‘Supermoon' Strikes: The Night Sky This Week

Forbes

time26-05-2025

  • Science
  • Forbes

See A ‘Smiley Face' Above As A ‘Supermoon' Strikes: The Night Sky This Week

A crescent moon rises behind the skyline of lower Manhattan in New York City on January 14, 2018, as ... More seen from West Orange, New Jersey. (Photo by) Each Monday, I pick out North America's celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere). Check my main feed for more in-depth articles on stargazing, astronomy, eclipses and more. There's a lot going on in the night sky this week. It begins with a new moon, which may mean high tides and potential flooding in coastal areas. In its wake, a new orbit of the moon around Earth will begin in striking fashion, with several nights to see a beautiful waxing crescent moon close to Jupiter, then Mars. Here's everything you need to know about stargazing and the night sky this week. Today brings a new moon, when our natural satellite is roughly between the Earth and the sun, so completely invisible to us. That happens at precisely 10:02 p.m. EDT, and this month, it's rather special because it's also a 'supermoon.' Called a perigee moon by astronomers, it means a moon that is as close as possible in any given orbit. It occurs because the moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, so it must have a farthest (apogee) and closest (perigee) point. This month's new moon is actually the third-closest new moon of the year at 223,720 miles (360,044 km) from Earth. More importantly, perhaps, a new moon means no moonlight, so perfect conditions for stargazing. Tuesday, May 27: Young Moon And Jupiter If skies are clear about 45 minutes after sunset, scan the northwestern horizon for a razor-thin crescent moon — just over 1%-lit — hanging delicately near brilliant Jupiter. Binoculars will likely be necessary to catch the moon's razor-thin crescent. Wednesday, May 28: Crescent Moon And Jupiter The waxing crescent moon will have moved slightly eastward in its orbit, growing to about 5%-lit and positioned slightly higher in the sky after sunset. Tonight, it will sit just above Jupiter in the west-northwest sky during twilight. Earthshine — the faint illumination of the moon's dark side by reflected sunlight from Earth — may be visible. Thursday, May 29: 'Smiley Face' Moon In Gemini Tonight, you'll see one of the most delightful lunar alignments of the year. About 45 minutes after sunset, look west for a 12%-illuminated crescent moon forming the 'smile' beneath two bright 'eyes' — the twin stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini. The moon will set shortly after twilight ends. Saturday, May 31: Moon, Mars And Regulus A 29%-lit crescent moon will meet Mars in the west shortly after sunset. Look just beyond the pair for Regulus, the bright blue-white star in the constellation Leo. Sunday, June 1: Crescent Moon And Regulus Now 39%-lit, the now very bright waxing crescent moon will be seen very close to Regulus high in the southwestern sky after sunset. From North America, the moon will appear to be much closer to Regulus than to Mars. The times and dates given apply to mid-northern latitudes. For the most accurate location-specific information, consult online planetariums like Stellarium. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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