Today's Image

Best photos of spectacular conjunction of moon and Venus

Our friend Mohamed Laaifat Photographies captured this one in Normandy, France on February 26.  Visit Mohamed Laaifat Photographies.
Our friend Mohamed Laaifat Photographies captured the moon and Venus as seen in Normandy, France on February 26. Visit Mohamed Laaifat Photographies.
Moon and Venus on February 26 as captured by Vlado Bojko in Trnava, Slovakia.
Moon and Venus on February 26 as captured by Vlado Bojko in Trnava, Slovakia. Thank you, Vlado!
Venus and the moon on February 26 by Caroline Whittaker Zorweg in Austria.
Venus and the moon on February 26 by Caroline Whittaker Zorweg in Austria.
By the time dawn came to the western half of the U.S. this morning (February 26), the moon was below Venus.  Even light pollution couldn't diminish the view of them.  Photo from our friend Christy Sanchez in Denver.  Thanks, Christy.
By the time dawn came to the western half of the U.S. this morning (February 26), the moon was below Venus. Even light pollution couldn’t diminish the view of them. Photo from our friend Christy Sanchez in Denver. Thanks, Christy.
Alex Andru caught Venus and the moon on February 26 from Romania.
Alex Andru caught Venus and the moon on February 26 from Romania.
A telescope revealed both the moon and Venus on February 26 to be in a crescent phase.  Photo by our friend Kat Baker in northern Italy.
Two crescents! A telescope revealed both the moon and Venus on February 26 to be in a crescent phase. Photo by our friend Kat Baker in northern Italy.
Moon and Venus seen from Hawaii on February 26, via our friend Zarita.  Thank you, Zarita!
Moon and Venus seen from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 26, via our friend Zarita. Thank you, Zarita!
Ahmad Basha caught the moon and Venus on February 26 from Suez, Egypt.
Ahmad Basha caught the moon and Venus on February 26 from Suez, Egypt.
Andrew Ferguson in Elche, Spain said he was
Andrew Ferguson in Elche, Spain said he was “walking the dogs, sleepy and slightly hungover” when he captured this shot. An eye-opener for sure! Thanks, Andrew.
Abhinav Singhai in India captured this photo of Venus and the moon on February 26.   These are the sky's two brightest nighttime objects, and they can be seen as dawn begins to break.
Abhinav Singhai in India captured this photo of Venus and the moon on February 26. These are the sky’s two brightest nighttime objects, and they can be seen as dawn begins to break. See more photos by Abhinav Singhai.
The moon and Venus on February 26 as seen by Phillip Van Rooyen in South Africa.
The moon and Venus on February 26 as seen by Phillip Van Rooyen in South Africa. The orientation of the moon and Venus to the horizon appeared differently, depending on your location on the globe.
From Africa, the moon occulted, or passed in front of Venus, on February 26.  Morongoe Khantsi captured this view.
From parts of Africa, the moon occulted, or passed in front of Venus, on February 26. Morongoe Khantsi captured this view.
Maurizio Campisi got this beautiful shot of the moon and Venus on February 26.
Maurizio Campisi captured this beautiful shot of the moon and Venus on February 26.
Kausor Khan caught the pair from India.
Kausor Khan caught the pair from India.
Gadi Eidelheit in Israel used a telescope to capture Venus and the moon on February 26.
Gadi Eidelheit in Israel used a telescope to capture Venus and the moon on February 26.
Venus and moon on February 26 by Aliina Mayes
Venus and moon on February 26 by Aliina Mayes
Vesa Taalikka took this photo of Venus and the moon on February 26.
Vesa Taalikka took this photo of Venus and the moon on February 26.
As the sky began to lighten, Vesa Taalikka also got this shot of Venus and the moon on February 26.
Vesa Taalikka also got this shot of Venus and the moon on February 26.
Liz Hawkins Romsey in the U.K. caught Venus and the moon on February 26, just as the dawn was breaking.
Liz Hawkins Romsey in the U.K. caught Venus and the moon on February 26, just as the dawn was breaking.
Brodin Alain was somewhat bothered by clouds in his area, but still captured this beautiful image of the pair on February 26.
Brodin Alain was somewhat bothered by clouds in his area, but still captured this beautiful image of the pair on February 26.
Jordan Lye Photography captured the pair from Penang, Malaysia on February 26.  Visit Jordan Lye Photography on Facebook.
Jordan Lye Photography captured the pair from Penang, Malaysia on February 26. Malaysia’s view was not as close as that farther west on February 26. Visit Jordan Lye Photography on Facebook.
Our friend Lakshmi Ravishankar in Pune, India captured the moon and Venus on February 26.  At this point, the occultation of Venus - when the moon would blot Venus from view - was just a few hours away.  Thank you, Lakshmi.
Our friend Lakshmi Ravishankar in Pune, India captured the moon and Venus on February 26. At this point, the occultation of Venus – when the moon would blot Venus from view – was just a few hours away. Thank you, Lakshmi.
Among the first to see the moon and Venus on February 26 were those in the Philippines.  This photo is by EarthSky Facebook friend Peter Jones Dela Cruz in General Santos City, Philippines.
Among the first to see the moon and Venus on February 26 were those in the Philippines. This photo is by EarthSky Facebook friend Peter Jones Dela Cruz in General Santos City, Philippines.
EarthSky Facebook friend Chris Levitan Photography caught Venus and the moon on February 25.  Visit Chris Levitan Photography.
EarthSky Facebook friend Chris Levitan Photography caught Venus and the moon on February 25. Visit Chris Levitan Photography.
Ayedt Wiseguy wrote,
Ayedt Wiseguy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia caught the pair on February 25, “I saw Venus chasing the moon or is it vice versa…” Actually, it is vice versa. It’s the moon’s monthly orbit around Earth that causes it to sweep past Venus, which is now in the predawn sky. Thank you, Ayedt!
View larger. | EarthSky Facebook friend Ocean Watch OBX caught this photo of the moon and Venus over the ocean on February 25.
View larger. | EarthSky Facebook friend Ocean Watch OBX caught this photo of the moon and Venus over the ocean on February 25.
Our friend Glenn Miles Photography captured this shot of Venus and the moon on February 25.  Visit Glenn Miles Photography on Facebook.
Our friend Glenn Miles Photography captured this shot of Venus and the moon on February 25. Visit Glenn Miles Photography on Facebook.
EarthSky Facebook friend Stacy Oliver Bryant captured this beautiful photo of the moon and Venus on Tuesday morning, February 25.  Thank you, Stacy!
EarthSky Facebook friend Stacy Oliver Bryant captured this beautiful photo of the moon and Venus on Tuesday morning, February 25. Thank you, Stacy!
EarthSky friend on G+ Michael Rael in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado captured the moon and Venus on February 25.  Thank you, Michael.
EarthSky friend on G+ Michael Rael in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado captured the moon and Venus on February 25. Thank you, Michael.
EarthSky Facebook friend Jean-Baptiste Feldmann Photographies wrote,
EarthSky Facebook friend Jean-Baptiste Feldmann Photographies wrote, “Morning after morning the moon is approaching Venus. The meeting is scheduled at the dawn of Wednesday, February 26 … ” This image is from February 24. Thank you, Jean-Baptiste! See more photos from Jean-Baptiste Feldmann Photographies.

Bottom line: On the morning of Wednesday, February 26, the moon appears close to Venus from most of the world. And from some parts of the world, the moon actually covered Venus from view in the first of two occultations of Venus for 2014. EarthSky friends on Facebook and Google+ shared these wonderful photos of the moon inching toward Venus on our sky’s dome in the days before the event, and then passing it. Thanks to all who posted!

More photos: Click here for dramatic photos of Venus disappearing behind the moon

Posted 
February 26, 2014
 in 
Today's Image

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