Moon, Venus Form May 18 Conjunction as 5%-Lit Crescent Stays Visible Across U.S.
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 15
Moon, Venus Form May 18 Conjunction as 5%-Lit Crescent Stays Visible Across U.S.
2 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 15
May 18 will bring a moon-Venus conjunction visible across the U.S., with the pair appearing close together in the western sky and requiring no special equipment.
A 5%-full waxing crescent should make the event easier to spot because the moon will be visible without overpowering Venus, one of the night sky's brightest objects.
Cloud cover is the main viewing risk, with National Weather Service forecasts indicating local conditions will determine how clear the conjunction appears.
Conjunctions happen when orbital paths place bodies on the same side of the sun from Earth's viewpoint, making them look near each other despite vast actual distances.
Beyond its beauty, could this weekend's rare triple conjunction actually have any physical effects on our planet?
As planets align for your phone camera, what simple tricks can create a stunning celestial photo?
How did ancient cultures interpret an alignment of the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter without modern science's explanation?