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See A Crescent Moon, Venus And The Northern Lights: The Night Sky This Week
This week offers a rare opportunity to witness the celestial beauty of a crescent moon and Venus in tandem with the Northern Lights. As an expert in astronomy, I’m excited to share this unique alignment with you.
Starting on Thursday, February 27th at 7:45 pm EST, we have a new moon phase, making the night skies completely dark and free from any lunar interference. This is a perfect time for stargazing, as the absence of moonlight allows us to gaze deeper into the universe without distraction.
As we move on to Friday, February 28th, we will witness our first sighting of the crescent moon. Although it will be quite challenging due to its very slim 1.1%-lit crescent shape, I encourage you to seek out this view with binoculars and patience. The moon will be positioned between Saturn and Mercury above.
On Saturday, March 1st, the situation improves dramatically as the waxing crescent moon reaches a 6% illumination level, making it more accessible for viewing in the western sky after sunset. Venus will also be visible above, shining with a brilliance of -4.8.
However, Sunday, March 2nd takes the cake as we see the moon reach its 12%-lit waxing crescent phase and display “Earthshine” – sunlight reflected from our planet’s oceans and ice caps onto the lunar surface. This subtle illumination will create an unforgettable visual experience in conjunction with Venus’ continued brilliance at -4.8.
As we take advantage of this extraordinary alignment, it is essential to note that we are approaching a remarkable period for Northern Lights sightings. As the moon leaves the early evening sky, we should be prepared for potential aurora displays. The next 10 nights following every last quarter moon will provide opportunities to witness these spectacular events. Keep in mind that the best viewing spots require darkness away from urban light pollution.
It is crucial to ensure a clear and unobstructed view of the northern horizon while avoiding any bright lights in your field of view, especially when looking northward where displays are most likely. As we continue through this solar maximum phase throughout 2025, there will be ample opportunities for observing these stunning displays.
