waxing moon closer to jupiter

The lower left side of the moon is illuminated as a small crescent against a dark sky and at the waning crescent stage.

What is a waning crescent moon?

A waning crescent moon can be found in the east before sunrise. It's waning toward new moon, that's when the moon will be between the Earth and the sun.

Green ecliptic line with 3 positions of thin crescent moon and labeled dots for Venus, Mercury, Regulus and Mars.

The moon visits 3 rocky planets on July 18, 19 and 20

On July 18, 19 and 20, 2023, the moon visits 3 rocky planets in the west. Mercury, Venus and Mars will all pair up with the moon on back-to-back nights.

Waxing crescent moon, near yellow circle showing Beehive Cluster with 3 white dots for Venus, Castor and Pollux, and red dot for Mars.

Moon near Venus, Mars, Castor, Pollux, Beehive on May 24

Watch for the waxing crescent moon near Venus, Castor, Pollux, Mars, and the Beehive star cluster on the evening of May 24, 2023. Beautiful!

Slim crescent moon, dark horizon, twilight sky.

Young moon on April 20: Will you see it under a day old?

Occasionally you get the chance to look for a very young moon, less than 24 hours old. Those in North America, may see one just after sunset on April 20.

Three people with cameras on tripods, silhouetted in sunset, and two close points of light above.

Bright planets Venus-Jupiter 2023: Great photos here

The March 1-2 conjunction of the bright planets Venus and Jupiter has ended. Great photos from EarthSky's community here.

The moon and the Pleiades on February 25 and 26.

Moon near Pleiades, and more, February 25 and 26

Watch for the moon near Pleiades - a beautiful star cluster - on the evenings of February 25 and 26. Nearby you'll find Mars and the bright star Aldebaran.

Green line of ecliptic with 2 stars near and 2 positions of moon.

Moon near Castor and Pollux, February 2 and 3

You can spot the waxing gibbous moon near Castor and Pollux in Gemini the Twins on the evenings of February 2 and 3, 2023. Read more here.

Slanted green ecliptic line with 2 positions of moon near Saturn well above horizon.

Moon near Saturn December 25 and 26

Look for a slender waxing crescent moon near Saturn on the evenings of December 25 and 26, 2022. Saturn is in the dim constellation Capricornus the Sea Goat.

Slanted green line of ecliptic with two positions of crescent moon near Saturn.

Moon near Saturn November 28 and 29

Find the crescent moon near Saturn on the evenings of November 28 and 29, 2022. Saturn can lead you to the arrowhead shape of stars making up Capricornus.

Star chart showing dot for Mercury with crescent moon above, plus 2 dots for brightest stars.

See Mercury and the moon on August 29

Use the moon to help you spot Mercury on August 29, 2022, when the duo appear close together at sunset. The moon is in a slender crescent phase.

Large circle and small circle overlapping on a green line.

Venus and Jupiter conjunction: Look now

During the Venus and Jupiter conjunction, the two planets will appear only 1/2 degree or less apart just before sunrise. You can also spot Mars and Saturn.

Fattened half circle with two dots on the left, and constellation below.

Castor and Pollux meet the moon, March 10 to 12

The moon creeps up on the twins Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini from March 10 to 12. On March 10, the moon is in 1st-quarter phase.

Chart with crescent moon to the lower left of Jupiter, both close to the horizon.

Moon and Jupiter on February 2. Farewell, giant planet!

The moon and Jupiter are low in the twilight on the evening of Feb. 2, 2022. After this, Jupiter will slip into the sun's glare and be gone by late February.

Top to bottom: Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Venus, with moon in three spots going up.

Moon and 4 planets after sunset January 3 to 5

See the moon and four planets after sunset January 3 to 5, 2022. It'll be tough to spot Venus and Mercury. Jupiter and Saturn will be much easier.

Sky chart showing the path of the moon from December 5, 2021 to December 9.

Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus December 6 to December 9

Wow! What a sight. The moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus all in your western sky after sunset. Watch for them December 6 to 9, 2021.

Sky chart showing the Moon's position on October 13, 14 and 15, 2021

Moon, Jupiter, Saturn on October 13 to 15

Moon, Jupiter, Saturn! They're a wonderful sight on the nights of October 13 to 15, 2021 as viewed from most parts of Earth. Watch for them.

The moon moves by four planets: Pluto, Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune.

Full moon, Saturn, Jupiter July 23 to 26

The full moon, Jupiter, Saturn ... what could be better? Watch as they light the night from dusk until dawn on July 23 to 26, 2021.

The moon travels in front of the zodiacal constellations, Libra, Scorpius and Sagittarius.

The moon and the Scorpion July 19 to 21

Watch for the moon and the Scorpion - aka Scorpius - on July 19, 20 and 21, 2021. The moon will be closest to Antares, Heart of the Scorpion, on July 19.

Jupiter and Saturn above bright city lights.

Your photos of 2020’s historic Jupiter-Saturn conjunction

Jupiter and Saturn's great conjunction - where they appeared exceedingly close on the sky's dome - was December 21. Thank you to EarthSky community members from around the world who captured photos!

Waxing crescent moon swings by two bright planets, Jupiter and Saturn.

Young moon, Jupiter, Saturn glorious December 15 to 18!

The 2 bright shining objects near the moon - December 15 to 18, 2020 - will be Jupiter and Saturn. These 2 giant planets are now nearing their great conjunction on December 21. Don't miss this!

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What is a waning crescent moon?

The moon visits 3 rocky planets on July 18, 19 and 20

Moon near Venus, Mars, Castor, Pollux, Beehive on May 24

Young moon on April 20: Will you see it under a day old?

Bright planets Venus-Jupiter 2023: Great photos here

Moon near Pleiades, and more, February 25 and 26

Moon near Castor and Pollux, February 2 and 3

Moon near Saturn December 25 and 26

Moon near Saturn November 28 and 29

See Mercury and the moon on August 29

Venus and Jupiter conjunction: Look now

Castor and Pollux meet the moon, March 10 to 12

Moon and Jupiter on February 2. Farewell, giant planet!

Moon and 4 planets after sunset January 3 to 5

Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus December 6 to December 9

Moon, Jupiter, Saturn on October 13 to 15

Full moon, Saturn, Jupiter July 23 to 26

The moon and the Scorpion July 19 to 21

Your photos of 2020’s historic Jupiter-Saturn conjunction

Young moon, Jupiter, Saturn glorious December 15 to 18!