Starwatch: Catch the striking trifecta of Venus, the moon and Spica at break of dawn
The brilliant planet is about to join the waning crescent moon and the brightest star in the Virgo constellation
TL;DR
- Venus, the waning crescent moon, and the star Spica will form a striking grouping in the morning sky this week.
- Venus will be the brightest and easiest object to identify in the east-south-east.
- Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, will be near Venus.
- The moon will be a tiny sliver, only two days away from new, with 4% illumination.
- Earthshine, the illumination of the moon's unlit portion by sunlight reflected from Earth, may be visible.
- A clear view towards the east-south-east is needed to appreciate the spectacle at around 0600 GMT.
- The grouping will also be visible from the southern hemisphere, appearing higher in the eastern sky.