INDIANA – Look to the western sky after sunset tonight, April 29, to witness a slender crescent moon drawing near the bright planet Jupiter. Emerging from its new moon phase, the delicate crescent will appear to the lower right of the magnitude -1.83 gas giant, shining in the constellation Taurus. Mars will also be visible higher in the southwestern sky.
Skywatchers may even catch a glimpse of “Earthshine,” where sunlight reflected off Earth softly illuminates the shadowed portion of the moon, potentially revealing the dark lunar maria.
To learn more and watch a video of the event, click here.
The celestial pairing will be even closer on Tuesday night, April 30, as the moon shifts to the upper right of Jupiter. Their closest approach, with just over 5 degrees of separation, will occur at 12:54 p.m. EDT, though they will still present a stunning view after sunset. Adding to the spectacle on April 30 will be the bright star Elnath, located less than a degree from the moon’s shadowed surface.
