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Twilight sky with a thin crescent moon with the unlit portion glowing with earthshine and a white dot for the planet Mercury above it.

Earthshine is a lovely glow on the unlit portion of the moon

Earthshine - the dim glow on the darkened portion of a crescent moon - is light from Earth cast on the night side of the moon. Watch for it around the new moon.

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Crescent moon with earthshine

The young moon is back after sunset, passing near Venus in the next few evenings. The pale glow on the darkened portion of the moon is called "earthshine."

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Earthshine on this morning’s waning moon

Just as bright moonlight can illuminate an earthly landscape, so bright Earthlight can illuminate a moonscape. That earthly light on the moon is called earthshine.

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Dark twilight on the horizon and a thin crescent moon and a small white dot that is Jupiter.

What’s the youngest moon you can see with your eye alone?

It has long been a sport for skywatchers to spot the youngest moon after sunset, with the eye alone. What does it take to see a very young crescent moon?

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Young moon sweeps by Venus, Mars and Regulus in the July evening sky.

Young moon returns July 11, Venus and Mars conjunction

The Venus and Mars conjunction in the evening sky will be best around July 12 or July 13. The young moon will join them in the western twilight sky.

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Young moon in twilight sky after sunset.

Birth of young moon at day’s end, October 17-20

You might or might not see the moon on October 17, 2020. But you'll more easily catch it on October 18, 19 or 20. Look west after sunset!

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Young moon low in the west after sunset.

Young moon after sunset September 18 to 21

After sunset these next several days - September 18, 19, 20 and 21, 2020 - watch for the waxing crescent moon's return to the evening sky.

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Young moon in the western sky after sunset.

Young moon after sunset June 22, 23 and 24

These next several days - June 22, 23 and 24, 2020 - watch for the young waxing crescent moon to adorn the western evening dusk.

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Moon and planets at dusk.

Don’t miss young moon and Venus after sunset (Neptune’s there, too)

After sunset on January 26, 27 and 28, 2020, watch for the young moon and planet Venus in the west at dusk and nightfall. Use the lit side of the moon to locate Mercury, the innermost planet. If you have a telescope, use Venus to locate the Neptune, the farthest planet.

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Young moon and Aldebaran at dusk May 7

Can't see the them on May 7? Look again on May 8. The moon will have moved away from the sunset, and will appear higher in the west as night falls.

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Visible planets and night sky guide for May

Visible planets and night sky guide. What's going on in the sky this month? Deborah Byrd brings you a video summary of the best May sky events.

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Animation showing full illuminated Earth and moon, with moon's far side facing camera.

5 moon myths that still fool people today

There are plenty of myths that surround the moon. Here are 5 of the most popular. How many of these myths have you been led to believe?

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Lone person standing on top of rock, pointing towards the vivid cloudy Milky Way and the vast expanse of universe.

Best stargazing of 2026: Top events not to miss

Here's the best stargazing of 2026! Read about the top celestial events not to miss in the coming year, and mark them on your calendar.

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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.

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A slender waxing crescent moon against a dark sky.

What is a waxing crescent moon?

A waxing crescent moon shines in the west after sunset, first visible a day or two after new moon with earthshine. It sets after the sun after sunset.

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sun news

Sun activity archive for November 2025

Sun activity archive for November 2025. A daily record of flaring, big filaments and prominences, and other sorts of activity, on our local star.

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Thin crescent moon with the unlit part faintly glowing and 2 dots, one brighter, to the right of the moon.

Stunning moon, Venus and Regulus conjunction pics !

The EarthSky community outdid itself with these photos of the crescent moon, Venus and Regulus in the morning sky on Friday, September 19, 2025.

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Large orangish full moon with kids on a fence in front.

Our top 10 stargazing tips for beginning astronomers

If you're new to observing the night sky, check out our top 10 stargazing tips for beginners. We'll help you explore and expand your love for astronomy.

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Large gibbous moon, tiny red dot for Mars, ducks flying in a V, against slate-blue background.

Top 10 space objects to see during the day

Love astronomy, but don't like to stay up late? Here are the top 10 space objects you can see - under the right conditions - during the day.

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A crescent moon with 2 equally bright lights above like eyes and text saying True or False?

Did you see a smiley face moon Friday morning?

Did you see a smiley face moon on April 25, 2025? Get accurate information here and check out community photos of the triple conjunction.

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