Skywatchers across the globe are in for a spectacular pre-dawn show on Thursday, September 19, as the waning crescent moon aligns closely with Venus and the bright star Regulus. The rare sight, popularly described as the "star next to moon tonight" moment, will also coincide with a Venus occultation visible in several regions outside the United States.
This striking moon and Venus pairing is one of September's most serene celestial highlights, drawing stargazers from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, as per a report by Space.
On Thursday morning, just before dawn, observers will notice a paper-thin waning crescent moon rising in the eastern sky. Only about two percent of the lunar surface will be illuminated, creating a delicate crescent. Positioned just below it will be Venus, the planet often mistaken for the "star right next to the moon." Slightly further away lies Regulus, the brightest star in the Leo constellation.
At arm's length, the moon and Venus will appear separated by only about a pinky finger - astronomically measured as roughly one degree of angular distance. This makes the alignment easy to spot, even for casual skywatchers.
Adding to the beauty will be Earthshine, also known as the Da Vinci glow. This subtle glow lights up the dark side of the moon when sunlight reflects off the Earth and bounces back to the lunar surface.
The alignment will be visible before sunrise across much of the world. Below are the key timings:
For skywatchers in Europe, parts of Canada, Greenland, Russia, Asia, and Africa, the event offers something even rarer - a Venus occultation. This occurs when the moon passes directly in front of Venus, temporarily blocking it from view.
According to astronomical forecasts, the occultation begins at 6:34 a.m. ET (10:34 GMT) and concludes at 10:26 a.m. ET (14:26 GMT). Observers in the path will see Venus disappear behind the moon's bright edge before reappearing minutes later.
Astronomy enthusiasts call this one of the most dramatic ways to witness planetary movement since it gives the illusion of Venus being "swallowed" by the lunar crescent.
While Venus and the moon will dominate attention, Jupiter also joined to shine brightly in the pre-dawn sky. The gas giant sits high in Gemini, near the twin stars Castor and Pollux, offering another guidepost for observers. This trio of bright objects - moon, Venus, and Jupiter - will form a striking triangle in the eastern horizon before sunrise.
Astronomy experts suggest a few simple measures to catch the event clearly:
Such close approaches of the moon and Venus are relatively rare and are prized by both casual observers and professional astronomers. This particular alignment, happening just before the September equinox, symbolizes a seasonal shift as the Northern Hemisphere moves toward autumn and the Southern Hemisphere toward spring.
The addition of Regulus, often called the "Heart of the Lion," and the distant brilliance of Jupiter make September 19 a night (and morning) to remember for anyone gazing up.
The bright object by the moon tonight is Venus, often mistaken for a star because of its brilliance.
Viewers in the U.S. can spot the moon and Venus from around 4:30 a.m. ET until sunrise, although the occultation will not be visible in most states.