What’s that bright star by the moon? It’s Venus!

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What’s that bright star by the moon?

What’s that bright star by the waxing moon on December 4, 2024? It’s not a star. It’s the brightest planet, Venus. We saw the moon and Venus close together in evening twilight on October 5 and November 4. And we’ll see them again on December 4 and January 2, 2025. Notice the ecliptic, the green line on our chart above. That’s the path traveled by the sun, moon and planets. Now, from the northern hemisphere, the ecliptic is slanting more steeply each evening. And the steeper the angle of the ecliptic, the more magnificent the view of the moon and Venus.

The moon and Venus were less than 5 degrees apart on October 5, 2024. By November 4, the moon and Venus were less than 5 degrees apart again. That’s about the amount of sky blotted out with your three middle fingers, held at arm’s length. Then, on December 4, they’ll be 2 degrees apart.

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 on December 4, they’ll be up in darkness for a bit longer. That early darkness will also enhance the view (although Venus and the moon in evening twilight will charm you, no matter when you catch them).

On December 4, you might still be able to spot some of the stars of what we consider a summer constellation – Sagittarius the Archer – and the familiar shape of the Teapot asterism in Sagittarius, before they set below the southwestern horizon.

For a precise view from your location, visit Stellarium.

Moon and Venus from our EarthSky community photos

Bottom line: What’s that bright star by the moon? It’s not a star. 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.