A thin crescent Moon will be visible low on the horizon just after sunset today evening. Venus and Mars, the two closest planets to Earth, will shine in the twilight just half a degree below and to the right of our planetary companion.
This is an excellent time to go outside and gaze at the night sky.
“In June, NASA announced that two new space missions would be heading to Venus beginning later in the decade. VERITAS and DAVINCI+ will investigate the planet’s surface and atmosphere, returning incredible images, maps, and other data, likely rewriting our understanding of how Earth’s sister planet became so inhospitable, along with how it might still be active today. They’ll be joined by the European spacecraft EnVision, for what’s sure to be an exciting new chapter in solar system exploration,” NASA describes.
Due to its proximity to the Sun, Venus is known as the morning and evening star (depending on when the planet rises and sets). It may be seen in the east at dawn and in the west at sunset.
The Moon, Mars, and Venus are all easily visible to the naked eye, thus no additional equipment is required to witness this event. Most people will be able to watch this event if the skies are clear at their place.
Skygazers should go outside immediately after sunset, preferably to a dark spot with a clear view. This event will be visible for about 30 minutes before Mars and Venus are set. A pair of binoculars will be more helpful to spot them.
Following the appearance of Venus, a red glow will be visible one-sixth of a degree below and half a degree west of the Moon, at first dim, then intensifying as the sky darkens. This will be the planet Mars.
The Moon, Mars, and Venus will be visible together in the sky this evening. Just right after sunset, low on the western horizon.
