Here are two sky objects you can see tonight (December 26, 2011). It is from master sky photographer Stefano De Rosa: the moon and planet Venus in the west after sunset. Stefano captured them above Lake Viverone in Italy just hours ago.

Moon and Venus as seen from Lake Viverone in Italy on December 26, 2011. Image Credit: Stefano De Rosa

As seen from around the world, in the west after sunset on this Monday, December 26 – the night after Christmas 2011 – you will find the waxing crescent moon and brightest planet Venus. Read more about the moon and Venus – and the other visible planets tonight – in our Tonight area:

Moon and Venus night after Christmas, all five planets visible

Bottom line: Sky photographer Stefano De Rosa caught this wonderful image of the moon and Venus above Lake Viverone in Italy on December 26, 2011. Do you see a bright object near the moon in tonight’s sky? It’s Venus! Be sure to look in the west shortly after sunset.

More wonderful sky photos from Stefano De Rosa

Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.