Anyone with a clear view to the western horizon on the evenings on and around October 5, November 4 and December 4, 2024, might wonder:
What’s that bright star by the moon?
But it isn’t a star. It’s the planet Venus! Venus is the brightest and closest planet we see from Earth. The thick clouds make it especially reflective and bright. And when it pairs with a young waxing crescent moon, it’s quite the sight!
The moon and Venus are less than 5 degrees apart on October 5, 2024. By November, the closest pairing of the moon and Venus is on the 4th. Once again, they’re less than 5 degrees apart, or the amount of space that your three middle fingers block on the sky’s dome when held at arm’s length.
In the Northern Hemisphere, because we’re headed toward the winter solstice, the sun will be setting earlier each night. So by the time Venus and the moon are close again on December 4, they’ll be up in darkness for a bit longer. You may be able to spot some of the stars of Sagittarius and the shape of the Teapot before they set below the southwestern horizon.
For a precise view from your location, visit Stellarium.
What’s that bright star by the moon? It’s not a star at all. It’s the planet Venus! You’ll see the moon and Venus pair closely together on 3 different evenings during the final months of 2024. Look southwest in the early evening hours of October 5, November 4 and December 4. The young waxing crescent moon will glow next to brilliant Venus. Chart by John Jardine Goss/ EarthSky.
Bottom line: What’s that bright star by the moon? It’s not a star at all. It’s the planet Venus! Venus is the brightest point of light in our night sky, and on three evenings in the fall sky, it pairs with the crescent moon after sunset. Learn more here.
Kelly Kizer Whitt - EarthSky’s roving nature reporter on YouTube - writes and edits some of the most fascinating stories at EarthSky.org. She's been writing about science, with a focus on astronomy, for decades. She began her career at Astronomy Magazine and made regular contributions to other outlets, including AstronomyToday and the Sierra Club. She has nine published books, including a children's picture book, Solar System Forecast, and a young adult dystopian novel, A Different Sky.
“I can sometimes see the moon in the daytime” was a cosmic revelation that John Jardine Goss first discovered through personal observations at age 6. It shook his young concept of the universe and launched his interest in astronomy and stargazing, a fascination he still holds today. John is past president of the Astronomical League, the largest U.S. federation of astronomical societies, with over 24,000 members. He's earned the title of Master Observer and is a regular contributor to the video series, “Global Star Party.” He has authored the celestial observing guides “Exploring the Starry Realm,” and “Carpe Lunam,” and “Take Your First Steps, an Introduction to Amateur Astronomy.” John also wrote for twenty years the monthly stargazing column, Roanoke Skies, for the Roanoke Times, and currently writes a bimonthly column, Skywatch, for Blue Ridge Country magazine. He has contributed to Sky and Telescope magazine, the IDA Nightscape, the Astronomical League’s Reflector magazine, and the RASC Observer’s Handbook.
Like what you read? Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Exciting news! EarthSky received a $50,000 gift, with a request that it be used to collect matching funds. Please help us meet this match by donating to EarthSky today!
Would you consider
donating?
If you've already donated, we apologize for the popup and greatly appreciate your support.
