The crescent moon gives a magical cast in our western sky

Look low in the west on Saturday sixty minutes after sunset for the thin crescent moon glowing next to brilliant Venus. The back reflected sunlight off the Earth, known as Earthshine, will light the night regions of the moon. This will give the moon an eerie glowing effect. Binoculars enhance the scene making it appear almost magical.

While looking at both bodies, consider that Venus lies 362 times farther than the moon. It also gives a more intense light than the moon because its atmospheric cloud tops reflect much more light than the asphalt shaded lunar surface.

Look in the west on Sunday sixty minutes after sunset for the crescent moon glowing next to bright Jupiter. As on the previous night, the moon will show Earthshine. Jupiter lies five times farther than Venus and over 2000 times farther than the moon.

Such is our view from Earth…