Moon, Venus Form 3-Degree Conjunction on May 18 as Clouds Threaten Viewing

11 articles · Updated · Detroit Free Press · May 18

A slim crescent moon and Venus will appear just 3 degrees apart after sunset on May 18, creating a nationwide conjunction visible in the western sky under clear conditions.
The moon is about 2.1 days past new and 7% illuminated, while Venus shines at magnitude -4.0; the moon will appear roughly 17 times brighter.
Michigan may miss the display because National Weather Service forecasts call for clouds, rain and thunderstorms across parts of the state.
The pairing only looks close from Earth: the moon is about 224,000 miles away, Venus about 124 million miles away, and such conjunctions occur when orbital paths align from our viewpoint.

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